Pablo Sandoval Will Be the Red Sox X-Factor in 2016

Entering the 2016 season, the Boston Red Sox have the pieces to boast one of the league’s best teams in terms of lineup and pitching depth.

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While Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts will likely carry the Boston offense with David Price and Eduardo Rodriguez headlining an improved rotation, a bounce-back season from Pablo Sandoval will be necessary for the team to become elite.

Along with a return to form from Sandoval, new first baseman Hanley Ramirez will be relied upon as a source of power going forward – but if he struggles, the Sox have Travis Shaw as a more than capable backup.

The Red Sox depth at third base isn’t there, as Brock Holt has entrenched himself as a utility player bouncing around the diamond, and sticking him at third may not be the best way to utilize his talents.  The team also has top prospect Rafael Devers quickly advancing in the system, but he likely won’t challenge for playing time until midseason 2017.

Entering year two of his five-year pact, a big year from Sandoval can vault the Sox into elite territory – and end any talk about his struggle to transition to the American League East.

A quick examination of the Sox lineup shows threats at virtually every position.  While Jackie Bradley Jr. is a wild-card in center field, he proved himself as an offensive threat when hot last season, and could be in line for an even more improved 2016.

But even if Bradley only hits in the .240’s, his defense has proven to be among the best in the game – which warrants keeping his bat in the lineup throughout the duration of an entire season.

Aside from Betts, Bogaerts and Bradley, the rest of the lineup consists of proven performers like David Ortiz, who will be playing his final season, gritty veteran Dustin Pedroia and up-and-coming catcher Blake Swihart.  If Ramirez can have some semblance of a healthy season, he’ll be in line for a decent year, as well.

With that in mind, it’s clear why Sandoval will prove to be the most important player on the Red Sox roster this season.  After a season in which he hit a career-worst .242 with a .658 OPS and only 10 home runs, the Panda will be on a short leash on a team expected to compete.

Sandoval’s struggles are difficult to explain, as his strikeout percentage of 14.5, despite being a career-high, is nowhere near a concern.  Sandoval is a notorious free-swinger, and his walk rate dipped to a career-low in 2015, but the majority of his problems could be attributed to his issues at swinging at pitches high in the strike zone.

The explanation for Sandoval’s tendency to swing at high pitches is difficult to explain, but it could be a result of his efforts to hit for more power.  In 2016, Sandoval could return to a contact-hitting approach that has worked for the majority of his career, as the Sox have plenty of power packed into the heart of their order.

Arguably Sandoval’s biggest issue last season was his inability to hit left-handed pitching, as he even contemplated giving up switch-hitting – one of his big draws as a free-agent – during the summer.

As a right-handed hitter, Sandoval was, to be blunt, atrocious.  While he may not fare much better as a lefty facing lefties, the Sox have the depth to pinch-hit in late-game situations if his struggles continue.

Former Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino abandoned switch-hitting early in 2015 after injury concerns, and actually found relative success by doing so.  Switching to solely left-handed hitting in Spring Training could be an interesting experiment – which, if it works out, would prove huge for him personally and Boston as a team.

While Sandoval’s performance at the plate was abhorrent, his defense was nearly just as bad.  The third baseman was never acclaimed for his defense, but it was actually a selling point in free agents talks back in 2014.

As recently as 2014, Sandoval posted a 3.5 UZR/150 at third base – but that plummeted to -21.9 (!) in 2015.  His .949 fielding percentage also left a lot of room for improvement, and he will need to cut down on his error totals – he made 15 last year.

Sandoval’s frame seemingly represents that of a future first baseman, and there’s a chance he could make the move there if Ramirez struggles at some point in the year. Despite not playing the position since 2012, his athletic ability could make for a seamless transition.

With a year in Boston under his belt, comfort could play a factor into Sandoval’s success this season.  By November, Ortiz will be out of the game and the Red Sox will have an open designated hitter job – one that could be suited for Sandoval or Ramirez. This season will be crucial for Sandoval’s personal success and the team as a whole