Day 34

Fresh Start_34: The Panda
Do you all remember Pablo Sandoval? I do, and I don’t just remember the overweight Panda that walked into Red Sox camp last February, or the one that was sent down this past April. I remember the San Francisco Giants Pablo Sandoval that was a joy to be around and a three-time champion. Yes, the contract that he signed before last season hasn’t worked out so far, but it was well deserved. He performs well in the postseason and that is something you can’t say about most players. The year before going to Boston Sandoval had a decent regular season batting .279 with sixteen homers and seventy-three RBI’s. In the postseason, he batted a combined .385 with five RBI’s. Sandoval also has a World Series MVP in 2012, where he had batted .500 with three bombs and four RBI’s.
I routed for him when he was on the Giants and although it is extremely tough to want to see him play well now that he is dawning Red Sox garments I don’t want his career to end here. Manager John Farrell did not rule out the chance of him rejoining the Sox next season. I personally think that the Panda will be on the Major League club next year playing third and DH’ing at times. When the exit of David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez looking like he will take over the full time DH role that leads a whole at first base. I don’t really like playing Red Sox GM but that would make Travis Shaw the full time first baseman and there would be a battle at third between Sandoval and the youngster Yoan Moncada.
Sandoval might have some trade value but with that hefty contract of fifty-three million dollars still left on his deal disregarding the club option in 2020, Sandoval would have to generate some interest by playing well after the shoulder injury. Also for a player of his worth and value he won’t be just placed in a broom closet somewhere and forgotten about like many prospects that have been given up on. The opportunity next February will come and if Sandoval wants to continue playing the children’s game he will come prepared and have a chip on his shoulder. The Panda has to play like it is a contract year, because even with the opportunity being there baseball waits for no one and Sandoval will be replaced if he fails to rise to the challenge. The hypothetical of Sandoval being released is an interesting scenario due to the lack of great third basemen in the league. I could see the Panda returning to the National League somewhere. I am hoping for the return of the Kung Fu Panda.
Sources:( espn.com, spotrac.com, baseballreference.com)

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