Beyond the Belt: How Pablo Sandoval can succeed in Boston
It’s that time of year again. Spring training is upon us. The long winter is ending. (Not really.) Every team has an equal chance to get to the World Series. (Not really.) And baseball players roll into camp proclaiming they are in the best shape of their lives. (Again, not really.) It is a tradition as old as Fenway Park. It has become more notable in recent years with the rise of social media. Hardly a day goes by that players are not posting videos of their offseason workouts. No player has exemplified that this offseason better than Red Sox mascot and hopeful third baseman Pablo Sandoval.
Pablo is looking to win back his starting position and Red Sox fans this season. He has taken a route that many did not think was possible. He lost weight and made sure we all saw it. Now dare I say Pablo may actually be in the best shape of his life coming into this season. Will a "skinny" Pablo Sandoval make a difference in how he is perceived in Boston or more importantly how he plays?
I have never been a fan of the Red Sox signing Pablo. It always seemed like such a reactionary move coming off a dreadful 2014 season to win fans back with a player they saw win the World Series that fall. Still with the dismal production from the 2016 Red Sox at third base and the offseason trade of Travis Shaw Pablo appears to be the prime guy simply for being the last guy. For Pablo his weight loss may be directly related to repairing his reputation in Boston.
This seems like a move reminiscent of former overweight overachiever and fan target John Lackey. Lackey never really lived up to hype that was created around him until the 2013 season. Like Pablo he was a postseason performer but failed fantastically in his first three seasons in Boston. It is unfortunate that Pablo and Lackey’s time in Boston never intersected. Imagine Pablo in the beer and chicken clubhouse. Then in 2013 Lackey came into camp sporting a notable weight loss and pitched like a reliable number two throughout the season and was one of the Red Sox best pitchers through the World Series. Pablo is hoping that his weight loss will lead to a similar redemption year. For a player like Pablo will the loss of pounds translate to big gains during the season?
Pablo Sandoval has always been fat. It has been said many times so like so many potato chips one more cannot hurt. Even skinny Pablo is still a stout ballplayer. Many forget Pablo came up through the Giants organization as a catcher. I believe if an American League team had developed him he would have stayed in that role or would have been pushed into 1B/DH role. Pablo has never been a great defensive player and truthfully is probably not good enough offensively to be a full time DH. Pablo will never be a superstar in Boston but he could be a postseason opportunist. We do not know this but it would make sense why there were talks of Pablo making a return to the team towards the end of the 2016 season as the Red Sox were closing in on a division title.
I am skeptical about whether Pablo’s work effort during the offseason will help redeem him on and off the field. If anything it is a move in the right direction because a major perception of Pablo since he arrived in Boston is that he is satisfied with himself and his even fatter contract. The expectations for him are so low now that if he does not come out spring training with starting at third base on Opening Day something is seriously wrong. Seriously Josh Rutledge this is your time to strike. Pablo should be striving for obscurity defensively right now. Be the Kung Fu panda that you are marketed as and stay hidden in the shadows that creep in over Fenway Park during a day game. Do not dive for a ball and make a error that will be GIFFed before you're back in the dugout. Much like Hanley transitioning to first base in 2016 no news will be good news. At the plate Pablo should contribute to team that will live and die by what happens with its 1a, 1b, and 1c starting pitchers. The loss of David Ortiz in the lineup will without a doubt affect the team’s offensive production. Let Hanley continue to feast at DH spot and hope Pedroia can stay healthy. If he can make the routine plays and have an average season at the plate he will be all right. More than anything Pablo should be an opportunist. When nothing is expected of you that is when you should make the biggest impact on people.
