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Pablo Sandoval

Pablo Sandoval wants 'new challenge' with Red Sox

Gabe Lacques
USA TODAY Sports
Pablo Sandoval  signed a five-year, $95 million contract with the Red Sox.

Pablo Sandoval seemed to have it all in San Francisco – three World Series titles with the Giants, a throng of adoring fans and a contract offer that would have paid him close to $20 million to stay.

Yet the Kung Fu Panda, who inspired thousands of Giants fans to don hats in tribute to his acrobatic play, somehow yearned for something different.

Sandoval's new relationship began Tuesday, when the Boston Red Sox introduced him at Fenway Park after he signed a five-year, $95 million contract.

He called it "a tough decision," and that it took a long time to make sure it was the right one. Yet his body language told a different story – that of a player eager to prove he could succeed in a new arena.

"The Giants gave me an opportunity to be in the big leagues, opened the door, taught me how to respect the game. The Giants fans were the best," he said, clad in his new No. 48 Red Sox jersey. "At the same time, I want a new challenge.

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"I chose to be here in Boston because I need a new challenge, need to lead a new team to a legacy. I wanted to make sure I made the right decision. I'm happy to be here."

And the Red Sox seemed more than a little surprised he's there. General manager Ben Cherington realized the deep connection Sandoval had in San Francisco, noting it was far from a case of a free agent fleeing a toxic environment, and that he "respected" that connection when engaging Sandoval.

Once there was a high level of mutual interest, Cherington said it was an easy decision to move aggressively on Sandoval given the paucity of power hitters available – and that Sandoval, at 28, is still in the prime of his career.

"There aren't a lot. That's what appealed to us with Pablo," says Cherington. "Everybody knows run-scoring is down in baseball, across the board. Finding good position players, in their prime windows, and trying to fill most of our lineup with them, is important in an era when scoring is tough."

And few come with Sandoval's unique attributes and postseason pedigree.

Sandoval hit three home runs in Game 1 of the 2012 World Series, ultimately earning MVP honors, and this past October banged out 26 hits in 78 postseason at-bats as the Giants won their third World Series crown in five years. He'll also represent a big upgrade over Red Sox third basemen – primarily Will MIddlebrooks – who combined to bat .211 with a .580 OPS.Sandoval, despite his lumbering frame, is one of the game's top defensive third basemen. He batted just .279 with a .748 OPS the past two seasons, but he's a lifetime .294 hitter.

It wasn't hard to envision similar heroics in Boston, particularly given that Fenway Park should be an excellent fit.

"Pablo embodies a lot of what we care about," says Cherington. "He's a guy who's been a big winner, a performer when it matters the most. He fits what we're all about here.

"Everything about him we learned through his research suggested he's a guy who loves the game, loves to play, loves to win. Digging a little deeper, Pablo's made himself a really good defensive third baseman. His approach fits the ballpark well – line drive hitter, hits a lot of balls well to left and left center.

"This was an opportunity to add a really good player, a great person and a good fit at a position of need. He doesn't have to come to Fenway and change anything. He just has to be himself. He is a unique hitter, one who fits a good lineup."

He'll be joined by fellow free agent acquisition Hanley Ramirez, who was to be introduced later Wednesday after agreeing to a four-year, $48 million deal. They'll aim to bring Boston its fourth World Series title since 2004.

Sandoval said he watched that World Series and was struck by the "great team, the great social group," that ultimately reminded him of his Giants teams.

Whether he can replicate that camaraderie in Boston remains to be seen. What's not in doubt is Sandoval's desire to try.

"I know that I had a great career in San Francisco. But I'm going to have a new one here,'' he said. "Going to start at zero, at normal. That's what we're going to do.

"It feels great to have a Boston Red Sox uniform."

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