SAN FRANCISCO—The Panda is taking his talents to Fenway. On Monday, November 24, former Giants third-baseman Pablo Sandoval agreed to a five-year, $100 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. Sandoval reportedly denied a similar deal from San Francisco, indicating that it was his intention to leave the Giants all along.
The Giants reportedly offered Sandoval a 5-year, $95 million deal, but were open to negotiation.
Sandoval was officially introduced as the newest member of a Boston Red Sox team who made an improbable World Series run in 2013, but fell completely out of the postseason race early in 2014.
The Sox are hoping that the 28-year-old Venezuelan native can bring the same magic to Boston that he brought to the Giants. Most noticeably in the postseason, where Sandoval catalyzed three World Series victories, posting a career .344 batting average and winning the 2012 World Series MVP award.
Sandoval joins former Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez as the second superstar infielder that Boston has lured away from the NL West in free agency.
By Joseph Wilhelm
