Boston Red Sox Pablo Sandoval Has Himself to Blame for Benching

Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval is reportedly unhappy about being benched. He has no one to blame but himself.

When the Boston Red Sox had signed Pablo Sandoval to a five year, $95 Million contract last year, the hope was that he would solidify third base, and eventually first, for years to come. Sandoval had been a key contributor to the San Francisco Giants, and it was hoped that his production and winning ways would help the Red Sox climb out of the cellar during the 2015 season.

Instead, Sandoval cratered. Always heavy, he appeared to be even more out of shape during his first Spring Training in Boston, setting the tone for an injury plagued season where he hit at an underwhelming .245/.292/.366 rate. Even more distressing was his play at third, where his range had all but disappeared. In fact, Sandoval, in his 123 games at third, was considered to have cost the Red Sox eleven runs.

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This year, Sandoval again showed up to Spring Training looking like the Michelin Man. Despite claims that he was at 17% body fat, it appeared as though those numbers were somehow transposed. Naturally, this refusal to get into any sort of shape that was not spherical led to a poor performance in the Grapefruit League, where Sandoval hit at a .244/.275/.488 clip, as he lost his job to Travis Shaw.

While Sandoval may have said all the right things at the time, he was not happy. In fact, his agent came out yesterday and stated to Jon Heyman that ‘If you want to win, why leave the Ferrari in the garage?’ Sandoval as a Ferrari? Maybe one that blew an engine and transmission.

Sandoval has every right to be angered at his benching, but that anger should not be directed at the Boston Red Sox. Instead, he should be angered at himself for being unable to put down the donuts and Twinkies to get into a shape that allows him to play baseball. Or he could look on the bright side, and be content that he can sit at the edge of the bench and consume hot dogs at a rate that would put Kobayashi to shame.

All this appears to be is another example of a baseball player getting paid, and then refusing to put the work in. Sandoval has always had a body type that seemed as though it could break down, making the Red Sox investment risky in the first place, but he is beyond heavy at this point. The resident jollux has continued to balloon to the point where he may have his own gravitational pull. Hopefully Jose Altuve doesn’t get too close to the Boston dugout any time soon, or he may get sucked into orbit.

At this point, there are two ways that Sandoval can get his job back: he can put in the effort to get into playing shape or he can get traded. While the Padres are reportedly interested in Sandoval, it may cost the Red Sox quite the financial outlay, as well as a prospect, to unload the hefty third baseman. Otherwise, the Boston bench may be titled towards one side.

Next: Rangers and Indians discussing trade

The Boston Red Sox and Pablo Sandoval appeared to be a bad marriage from the beginning, and now they appear to be on track for a messy divorce.