The Red Sox undeserving All-Stars
By Rick McNair
May 30, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) forces out Texas Rangers right fielder Josh Hamilton (32) at third base in the fourth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Texas won 8-0. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Pablo Sandoval has not been an All-Star the previous two seasons and will not be in 2015. Sandoval just does not deserve it.
A 95M contract and a slightly disappointing season does not earn you that shot. With his glove work Sandoval is pedestrian at best. The metrics keep him borderline top ten and that is nothing special unless you can really do some damage with the bat. That has simply not happened.
Sandoval’s “issues” batting right-handed are well documented and Panda has adopted a very smart “give it up” attitude and will (hopefully) concentrate from the left side. Sandoval’s “Numbers” simply do not impress when compared to Mike Moustakas, Josh Donaldson, Manny Machado and several others. Even his WAR barely nudges above zero.
In 2014 there was some serious talk of trading Will Middlebrooks for Moustakas. Both were in the throes of horrid slumps and both ended up in Triple-A. How a year has changed. Moustakas deserves the slot at third.