Article: Red Sox Sign Rehabbing Patrick Sandoval To Two-Year Contract

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

2 hours ago, vjcsmoke said:

This is how the Sox burn 🔥 good money in their dumpster diving for injured players. It’s insane to me that they repeat this behavior with Sandoval who likely will miss most of 2025 recovering from TJ surgery.

It is uncanny how the Red Sox continue to blow money on players that blow their chances at filling holes on rosters that are never fully ready to compete for division titles (not to mention go deep into postseasons without question).

What good is it to prepare for the essay question at the end of the test if they skip the fill-in-the-blanks, and just guess at the multiple choice?

[Bellhorn04]

21 hours ago, Caleb K said:

The Red Sox have added another left-handed starter to the rotation.

Well, you really can never have too much pitching depth. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Red Sox have agreed to terms with LHP Patrick Sandoval on a two-year contract worth $18.25 million. This is a pillow contract for the lefty, as Sandoval is currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and should not be expected to pitch for the big league club any earlier than July. As such, the deal is structured so that Sandoval will make $5.25 million in 2025 and $15.75 million in 2026, reports Alex Speier. Sandoval has just over four years of big-league service time, and he was only available in free agency because the Angels non-tendered him at the end of the season.

This is a similar move to the signing of Liam Hendricks last offseason, as it features a rehabbing pitcher eyeing a midseason return, although Hendricks suffered several setbacks and ultimately was unable to make his Red Sox debut before the end of the year. Sandoval had some excellent seasons for the Angels, pitching to a 3.53 ERA over 380 1/3 innings from 2021 to 2023; a mix of quality and quantity that only 28 other pitchers were able to match. However, made just 16 starts and struggled to a 5.08 ERA in 2024 before undergoing internal brace surgery to repair his UCL. He will be looking to regain his top form and rebuild his value over the next two seasons.

Despite the downturn and the missed time due to injury, Sandoval has put up 8.8 fWAR over the past four seasons, making him one of the top 50 most valuable pitchers in the game. . Even if Sandoval doesn't approach those heights again, this move gives Alex Cora another solid option to turn to as the dog days of summer test the depth of even the best teams.

 

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This part kind of says it all.  

This is a similar move to the signing of Liam Hendricks last offseason, as it features a rehabbing pitcher eyeing a midseason return, although Hendricks suffered several setbacks and ultimately was unable to make his Red Sox debut before the end of the year.

The "whoopsy-daisy" factor is way too common in these deals, but the Red Sox never seem to lose their appetite for them...

 

[Bellhorn04]

16 hours ago, Nick said:

I can't tell you how disgusted I am with this.

What's the upside for paying almost $20M for this guy?

You mean to tell me we couldn't have added another high level bullpen guy for 2 years at $20M?

Bres can go to hell.

 

Good point, Nick, why not invest this kind of money in the bullpen instead?

Our bullpen was a big weakness last year and at this point it looks no better, and probably worse, with Jansen and Martin out, Chapman and Wilson in.

Still smells a lot like dysfunction at the top.  

[Bellhorn04]

58 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

Great move.

if the Sox don’t add another GOOD starter who is ready for opening day 2025 then shame on them.

but on its own, great depth move.  

Problem is there's not much reason to have confidence this is part of an integrated plan that makes sense rather than just more throwing stuff at the wall.

My suspicion is that the relatively tight budget makes Brez feel like he has to do "creative" stuff like this rather than the obvious move of signing a good starter who's ready to go.

 

[Bellhorn04]

The more I think about what they've accomplished with the pitching so far, the more I don't like it.  Hopeful about the Crochet trade, but the rest of it looks like just more negligence and more playing on the margins.

Giolito's 38.5 million is the biggest contract handed to a starting pitcher since Eovaldi's extension in December, 2018.   

That's incredible.

As for Burnes and the offer we reportedly "prepared" for him, Jeff Passan doesn't even list the Red Sox among the candidates to sign him.  

We're still not serious players.

[notin]

10 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Nobody was bidding that high, except maybe Cohen getting JH back for the Soto push.

I wouldn’t be surprised if someone was.  The pitching market is hot right now; there’s a reason half the league is interested in Luis Castillo…

[Bellhorn04]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

I wouldn’t be surprised if someone was.  The pitching market is hot right now; there’s a reason half the league is interested in Luis Castillo…

But that's just our old friend the "i" word. 

[Larry Cook]

1 hour ago, Hugh2 said:

Great move.

if the Sox don’t add another GOOD starter who is ready for opening day 2025 then shame on them.

but on its own, great depth move.  

Shockingly, pivetta is still available!!!

[notin]

18 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

But that's just our old friend the "i" word. 

Did you expect half the league to trade for him?

If the Mariners pulled that off, our friend MaxBialystock would be impressed..

[notin]

2 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

Great move.

if the Sox don’t add another GOOD starter who is ready for opening day 2025 then shame on them.

but on its own, great depth move.  

I don’t think you’re going to see another good starter added unless it’s via trade with one of the ones we already have heading back.  Sandoval is the tenth or eleventh SP on the Sox 40 man roster, depending on whether or not you count Fulmer.   That’s a lot of spots just for starting pitching.

They could (and might) deal off one or two to get a catcher or a RHH or whatever.  And maybe they think of Dobbins or Fitts or whoever as a reliever.  But I’d be surprised if they started the season with 12-15 starting pitchers on the 40 man.  

[Bellhorn04]

14 minutes ago, notin said:

Did you expect half the league to trade for him?

No, basically I'm just venting. 

The Red Sox keep proving that if you have a quarter in one hand and interest in the other, it's worth a gumball... 

[Bellhorn04]

The bullpen as it stands looks worse than last year, am I right?

There will be different bodies, and some hopes for improvement, but basically they've done jacksquat about it so far.  I also think Chapman was a pretty poor signing.  He's got 2 strikes against him in the image department, one off the field and one on it (multiple big playoff homers given up). 

He walks a lot of guys and is often an adventure.

If he struggles the fans will be harsh.  

[moonslav59]

54 minutes ago, notin said:

I wouldn’t be surprised if someone was.  The pitching market is hot right now; there’s a reason half the league is interested in Luis Castillo…

Castillo has been one of MLB's most healthy and successful pitchers for several years.

True, we aren't the only team signing guys on the IL and hoping they comeback in months, but I'm not sure there was any bidding war on PS.

[notin]

9 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

The bullpen as it stands looks worse than last year, am I right?

There will be different bodies, and some hopes for improvement, but basically they've done jacksquat about it so far.  I also think Chapman was a pretty poor signing.  He's got 2 strikes against him in the image department, one off the field and one on it (multiple big playoff homers given up). 

He walks a lot of guys and is often an adventure.

If he struggles the fans will be harsh.  

This is why the Sox shouldn’t waste time with Burnes.

Add some bullpen arms, preferably a high leverage one or two, acquire a catcher who can catch, and upgrade the defense.  All those moves will improve the pitching.

[notin]

2 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Castillo has been one of MLB's most healthy and successful pitchers for several years.

True, we aren't the only team signing guys on the IL and hoping they comeback in months, but I'm not sure there was any bidding war on PS.

Then he should fire his agent.

Doubtful the Sox just jumped up to an $18mill figure on their own, and I doubt Sandoval’s agent told him to just accept first offer.

These lesser budget teams are looking for cheap pitching.  Certainly one or two called Sandoval’s agent…

[notin]

20 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

The bullpen as it stands looks worse than last year, am I right?

There will be different bodies, and some hopes for improvement, but basically they've done jacksquat about it so far.  I also think Chapman was a pretty poor signing.  He's got 2 strikes against him in the image department, one off the field and one on it (multiple big playoff homers given up). 

He walks a lot of guys and is often an adventure.

If he struggles the fans will be harsh.  

Image or not, fans are harsh on any player who struggles…

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, notin said:

Then he should fire his agent.

Doubtful the Sox just jumped up to an $18mill figure on their own, and I doubt Sandoval’s agent told him to just accept first offer.

These lesser budget teams are looking for cheap pitching.  Certainly one or two called Sandoval’s agent…

We do have a record of "jumping" on players we like and overpaying.

Yoshida and Story come to mind. Chapman was not even listed on MLBTR's top 50 FA list, which bottoms out at $8M/1, and we signed him at over $10M/1.

Maybe someone else was involved, but I haven't heard of anyone interested in him. We can't assume we won a serious bidding war.

[Bellhorn04]

6 minutes ago, notin said:

Image or not, fans are harsh on any player who struggles…

They can be extra harsh with some.

 

[notin]

3 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

We do have a record of "jumping" on players we like and overpaying.

Yoshida and Story come to mind. Chapman was not even listed on MLBTR's top 50 FA list, which bottoms out at $8M/1, and we signed him at over $10M/1.

Maybe someone else was involved, but I haven't heard of anyone interested in him. We can't assume we won a serious bidding war.

The Sox “jumped” at Story?  They signed him on March 23rd.  That’s like a week before opening day.

Im not so sure they jumped at Yoshida, who they did apparently have on their radar even before abloom was hired, if you believe the story.

It seems like the tendency is for us to assume any signing we don’t like or that doesn’t work out is the product of laziness or sloppiness by the FO.  Deep down, we know that isn’t true. But it’s easy.  There is no amount of hard work that makes predicting the future a perfect task, despite what we’d like…

[notin]

1 minute ago, Bellhorn04 said:

They can be extra harsh with some.

 

He could have come in here already canonized as Saint Aroldis, but after his first walk off home run, he’s a bum!!!

[Bellhorn04]

11 minutes ago, notin said:

He could have come in here already canonized as Saint Aroldis, but after his first walk off home run, he’s a bum!!!

I think both points can be true.  Being a nice guy won't save you if you suck.  But with Chapman you're undeniably bringing in extra baggage.  

My gut feeling is that it's not going to be a signing we look back on fondly. 

[moonslav59]

15 minutes ago, notin said:

The Sox “jumped” at Story?  They signed him on March 23rd.  That’s like a week before opening day.

Im not so sure they jumped at Yoshida, who they did apparently have on their radar even before abloom was hired, if you believe the story.

It seems like the tendency is for us to assume any signing we don’t like or that doesn’t work out is the product of laziness or sloppiness by the FO.  Deep down, we know that isn’t true. But it’s easy.  There is no amount of hard work that makes predicting the future a perfect task, despite what we’d like…

Yes, they "jumped on Story" as it seemed nobody else wanted him. The "jump" ws more on the price than the "quickness."

Yes, they "jumped on Yoshida," because they likes him since he was in diapers. It appeared nobody else came close to thinking he was worth over $100M in total costs.

To me, we continuously make outrageously low bids on the top FAs we "are in on." Only the reported $700M Soto offers breaks from that trend, IMO. But, when it comes to flawed candidates, we seem to jump to the top and "overpay:" 

Diekman, Story, Yoshida, Paxton, Hendriks, and now Chapman and Sandoval. Some thought Wacha was an overpay stab in the dark, but I think other teams liked him nearly as much. Maybe my disgust with team management is clouding my judgment: it wouldn't be the first time. I can readily admit to thisi, but this seems to have a grain of truth to it, at least. We simple go gah-gah over the wrong guys. 

[Bellhorn04]

20 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Yes, they "jumped on Story" as it seemed nobody else wanted him. The "jump" ws more on the price than the "quickness."

Yes, they "jumped on Yoshida," because they likes him since he was in diapers. It appeared nobody else came close to thinking he was worth over $100M in total costs.

To me, we continuously make outrageously low bids on the top FAs we "are in on." Only the reported $700M Soto offers breaks from that trend, IMO. But, when it comes to flawed candidates, we seem to jump to the top and "overpay:" 

Diekman, Story, Yoshida, Paxton, Hendriks, and now Chapman and Sandoval. Some thought Wacha was an overpay stab in the dark, but I think other teams liked him nearly as much. Maybe my disgust with team management is clouding my judgment: it wouldn't be the first time. I can readily admit to thisi, but this seems to have a grain of truth to it, at least. We simple go gah-gah over the wrong guys. 

It's been a weirdly hodgepodge approach since Bloom was hired, and it seems to be more of the same this offseason. 

Crochet is the one encouraging move.  But they haven't touched the bullpen or the bad defense.  

Something just isn't right behind those doors.   

[notin]

3 hours ago, Bellhorn04 said:

The more I think about what they've accomplished with the pitching so far, the more I don't like it.  Hopeful about the Crochet trade, but the rest of it looks like just more negligence and more playing on the margins.

Giolito's 38.5 million is the biggest contract handed to a starting pitcher since Eovaldi's extension in December, 2018.   

That's incredible.

As for Burnes and the offer we reportedly "prepared" for him, Jeff Passan doesn't even list the Red Sox among the candidates to sign him.  

We're still not serious players.

Right around the time they extended Eovaldi, they also extended Sale for 5 years $145mill.  And still had David Price on the roster.

Price signed a 7 year $217mill contract.  He opted out of one year, so his deal (including in LA) was for a pitcher who pitched 6 years and was worth 11.1 bWAR.  Or less than 2 bWAR per year.

They signed Sale to a 5 year $145 mill contract.  After 4 years, Sale had accumulated 2.6 bWAR.  It took a Triple Crown/Cy Young/6.2 bWAR season to get him anywhere near 2 bWAR/yr.

So for $305mill, the Sox signed themselves two pitchers almost as effective as Kutter Crawford

Eovaldi signed a 4 year (really 3.4 yr) contract for $68mill.  In those 3.4 years, he was worth, 7 fWAR, making him the by far best FA signing.  Of course, at the time Eovaldi was a 29yo journeyman with 2 Tommy John surgeries and a career high of 2.3 bWAR in his rear view mirror. There were bigger names on the market that got paid more than Eovaldi. But we got the mid-range guy, and he outperformed the overpriced stars.  Of course, part of that is he the mid—range arms dont get 7 year deals.  But that is also a huge factor.

Maybe this is why they avoid pitchers like Fried and Burnes…

[Bellhorn04]

7 minutes ago, notin said:

Maybe this is why they avoid pitchers like Fried and Burnes…

And yet they make offers to both of them, which adds to the weirdness...

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Bellhorn04 said:

It's been a weirdly hodgepodge approach since Bloom was hired, and it seems to be more of the same this offseason. 

Crochet is the one encouraging move.  But they haven't touched the bullpen or the bad defense.  

Something just isn't right behind those doors.   

Chapman wasn't a bad move, since we needed a LH'd RP, but if he's being viewed as the closer or co-closer with Hendriks, something is clearly "not right:" I agree. Even signing a solid TOTR pitcher and moving Crawford to the pen does not improve the pen from 2024. It's not really any worse, but it's not better.

No Jansen or Martin.

Add Chapman, Hendriks, Wilson and the return of Whitlock from the IL and rotation.

It was arguably our biggest winter need area.

[Old Red]

32 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

And yet they make offers to both of them, which adds to the weirdness...

The illusion of being in contention just like on Soto. It works on some.🤫

[notin]

47 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

And yet they make offers to both of them, which adds to the weirdness...

Like I’ve been telling you since the last Internet forum, free agency is about PR.  By showing “interest”, the Sox are telling fans they’re willing to spend money without actually spending money.  And in many cases, that’s probably the right decision.

Burnes and Fried are certainly upgrades, but over the next few years are they better investments than Tanner Houck?  Last year, Fried was worth 3.5 bWAR, Burnes was worth 3.4 bWAR, and Houck was worth 3.5 bWAR.

Over the next 7 years, who will have the most bWAR? Max Fried? Corbin Burnes? Or Brayan Bello?

[moonslav59]

7 minutes ago, notin said:

Like I’ve been telling you since the last Internet forum, free agency is about PR.  By showing “interest”, the Sox are telling fans they’re willing to spend money without actually spending money.  And in many cases, that’s probably the right decision.

Burnes and Fried are certainly upgrades, but over the next few years are they better investments than Tanner Houck?  Last year, Fried was worth 3.5 bWAR, Burnes was worth 3.4 bWAR, and Houck was worth 3.5 bWAR.

Over the next 7 years, who will have the most bWAR? Max Fried? Corbin Burnes? Or Brayan Bello?

That makes a lot of sense, but signing Fried or Burnes would be replacing Crawford- not Houck or Bello, and the projected WAR for them vs Crawford is what comp matters the most. Is that worth the money? Maybe - maybe not. To me, it's really about Burnes or Fried vs whoever we do add: Flaherty, Pivetta, Manaea, Buehler or gasp... just Sandoval. (Then, count the added value of Crawford in the pen.)

[Bellhorn04]

1 hour ago, notin said:

Like I’ve been telling you since the last Internet forum, free agency is about PR.  By showing “interest”, the Sox are telling fans they’re willing to spend money without actually spending money.  And in many cases, that’s probably the right decision.

Burnes and Fried are certainly upgrades, but over the next few years are they better investments than Tanner Houck?  Last year, Fried was worth 3.5 bWAR, Burnes was worth 3.4 bWAR, and Houck was worth 3.5 bWAR.

Over the next 7 years, who will have the most bWAR? Max Fried? Corbin Burnes? Or Brayan Bello?

And I still disagree on that, of course.  The last two champions relied heavily on free agents (Freeman,Ohtani, Yamamoto, Seager, Semien, Eovaldi).

With Fried and Burnes of course you're paying heavily for their track records.  Houck and Bello don't really have track records yet.