Red Sox announce 5-year deal with Pablo Sandoval
The Boston Red Sox welcomed their first major offseason addition Tuesday afternoon, as the club announced a five-year deal with third baseman Pablo Sandoval.
It's official. ?
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) November 25, 2014
Sandoval, a two-time All-Star who won three World Series titles during his seven-year tenure with the San Francisco Giants, is set to earn $95 million over the next five seasons with a $17-million club option for the 2020 campaign, according to ESPN's Gordon Edes.
"I wanted a new challenge," Sandoval said at an introductory press conference at Fenway Park. "I needed a new challenge."
He wasn't kidding about the panda. Give @KFP48 a follow #RedSoxNation! pic.twitter.com/kSNt5WAkF3
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) November 25, 2014
The 28-year-old boasts a career 123 OPS+ since making his major-league debut in 2008, and joins a club that finished 71-91 last season, just one year after securing a World Series championship.
David Ortiz, meanwhile, preceded the club's official announcement by welcoming Sandoval and expected fellow free-agent acquisition Hanley Ramirez to the team with a cordial tweet Monday night.
Welcome to #RedSoxNation @HanleyRamirez @KFP48.....bout to give pitcher nightmares!!!! pic.twitter.com/nVmpMlvyyH
— David Ortiz (@davidortiz) November 25, 2014
The Red Sox designated catcher Ryan Lavarnway for assignment to accommodate Sandoval on the 40-man roster.
HEADLINES
- Blue Jays climb AL East oddsboard after sweeping Yankees
- Taillon expected to miss over a month with strained calf
- Yankees' Schmidt goes on IL, heads for scan of forearm
- The 1st-place Jays are fun again. Were Shapiro and Atkins right all along?
- Boone after Jays sweep: 'Sucks when you get your ass kicked'