Losing Pablo Sandoval Is The Best Thing That Could Have Happened To Red Sox
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Red Sox had a $17 million problem on their hands this season with the injured Pablo Sandoval, who had been wasting away on the disabled list and languishing on the bench when healthy. But now that the third baseman is scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery, the team on the field is far better off without worrying how to shoehorn the struggling Sandoval's bat into the lineup.
This is not to celebrate a player being injured. Sandoval is expected to miss the rest of the season, according to ESPN. Hopefully, for his sake, he returns in 2017 at 100 percent and in ideal game shape, to put the Red Sox in a position to get the best out of him. ... That is, assuming the team doesn't end up trading Sandoval for what would now be pennies on the dollar.
UPDATE: The surgery has been completed and will end Sandoval's 2016 season.
Before the unfortunate injury, Sandoval contributed virtually nothing to the Red Sox on the field this season. Had he remained on the bench with a chance to get back in game action, it likely would have only made things harder for John Farrell and Red Sox management in trying to fit him into the roster. His presence in the dugout could have practically obligated the team to give Sandoval at-bats and reps at third base. They've done it for guys like Chris Young, why wouldn't they for Sandoval?
There are obvious negatives to the loss of Sandoval: the team still owes him a total of $53 million from 2017-2019, in addition to the remainder of his $17 million salary for 2016. There's also little depth behind Shaw as far as a full-time third baseman, beyond the likes of Josh Rutledge. But the team should be able to take the hit on Sandoval while continuing to do business as usual, and perhaps acquire a backup third baseman via trade if the need arises.
Considering the way things started with Sandoval in 2016, subtracting him from the roster can only make things less of a headache for the team. Farrell, fortunately, made the right choice to go with Travis Shaw at third to start the season, and the move has paid off so far. Shaw enters Tuesday batting .322 with three home runs and 17 RBI, showing some pop in his bat and playing unspectacular but serviceable defense at the hot corner. That kind of production is about the best you could have hoped for had Sandoval been starting, and that was far from a safe bet.
Sandoval got off to an ugly start, reporting to spring training looking badly overweight. It didn't get much better when he went hitless in his only six at-bats of the season before suffering his now-season-ending shoulder injury. Something of a smear campaign unfolded in the media, and at that point, where exactly did Sandoval fit with this year's Red Sox?
SEE ALSO: Massarotti: Benching Sandoval More Of An Intervention By Red Sox
For 2016, it's best for Sandoval to get his shoulder right and for the Red Sox to continue going with Shaw at third base as long as he's hitting and the Sox lineup is rolling. It's one less person for Farrell to worry about satisfying; any added stress associated with keeping Sandoval or others at third base happy is now gone. The problem could return for 2017, but at least for one season, it's not something that will distract or concern baseball operations.
Sandoval's surgery may be an unfortunate end to what's become a disastrous season for the third baseman, and the Red Sox will be on the hook to pay him a ton of money both now and for the next three years. But for the team this season, it was the best thing that could have happened.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
