Sox Shouldn't Sign Sandoval

Sandoval's bat doesn't make up for his flaws (ESPN)

The Boston Red Sox are reportedly all-in on Pablo Sandoval. Gulp.

Many of the points I made in the spring still stand. Sandoval plays mediocre defense and can't run (he hasn't even attempted a stolen base since 2012). His power is merely decent, he hardly ever walks (just 39 times in 638 plate appearances last year, and six of those were intentional), and he doesn't produce a lot of runs. Furthermore, his career already appears to be on the downswing, as his OBP and slugging have fallen every year since 2011. 28 or not, that's not somebody I'm handing a six-year deal to.

One would expect Fenway to boost his numbers some, but that's not guaranteed. Sandoval hit much better at AT&T (.853 OPS there) compared to everywhere else (.771 OPS). It's typical for players to hit better at home regardless of where they play, however, and it stands to reason that his home numbers would rise in Fenway's friendly confines.

The Red Sox have a clear hole to fill at third base (Will Middlebrooks aint the answer), but there are better, more appealing options, like trying to trade for Adrian Beltre or signing Chase Headley. I like that they're willing to throw money at a player, but Sandoval's the wrong guy. Throw that money at a starting pitcher, for the love of God, like Jon Lester or Max Scherzer. Don't piss it away on Sandoval, a solid player but by no means a star. If you're going to spend superstar money, you better get a superstar in return, and a corner infielder who's averaged 14 homers, 72 RBI, and a .280/.335/.424 line over the past three years isn't close to one.

Please, Mr. Cherington, spend your money elsewhere. Let Sandoval be someone else's mistake.