After signing a $95 million deal to join the Red Sox last offseason, Pablo Sandoval had a rough first year in Boston. The former Giants third baseman had the worst year of his career at the plate, hitting just .245 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs — all career lows since Sandoval has become an everyday player.
With a disappointing 2015 behind him, Sandoval showed up to the Red Sox’ Spring Training facility on Sunday hoping to get a fresh start and work on bouncing back in 2016. Unfortunately for him, he’s off to a rough start thanks to the belly he brought with him to camp.
Welp. Here it is. Via the @BostonGlobe, the picture that everyone's going to be talking about tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/FbWPrm8DfH
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) February 21, 2016
Sandoval has always been hefty, but the controversy over his current physique comes after Red Sox management reportedly asked him to lose weight this offseason. Sandoval denies that request was ever made, even though there’s evidence pointing to the contrary.
Sandoval claimed he was not asked to lose weight. Dombrowski, Farrell, Lovello all on the record over time saying he was.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) February 21, 2016
And, when Sandoval was asked about his weight, his response was a bit curious.
“I don’t weigh. I don’t weigh in at all,” Sandoval said after being asked how much weight he had lost. “I just do my work, try to do everything I can out there. I don’t weigh at all in the whole offseason. I just try to get better, be in a better position and, like I say, be an athlete.”
Given that Sandoval is coming off the worst season of his career and is signed through 2019 at nearly $20 million per year, his reluctance to shed weight has created a pretty big stir in Boston…and it’s still February. That’s not exactly promising for the 2016 bounce-back campaign.
Oh man, here we go! pic.twitter.com/myyB3d4VAX
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) February 22, 2016
Incredible! I love this team. MT @Jared_Carrabis: the picture that everyone's going to be talking about tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/EyxPtFBkrQ
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 22, 2016
The Life Of Pablo (Sandoval) pic.twitter.com/uew7NDUsuc
— JEFF (@jeffisrael25) February 21, 2016
The Life of Pablo. pic.twitter.com/LyXTeZpTQG
— DAN (@danWorthington) February 21, 2016
@PeteBlackburn @Jared_Carrabis pic.twitter.com/Sk574giD1a
— Taylor (@1goldenduck) February 21, 2016
Looks like Eddie Lacy is sharing off-season diet secrets with Pablo Sandoval. 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 pic.twitter.com/F0PAOAYtzf
— Fake SportsCenter (@FakeSportsCentr) February 21, 2016
Pablo Sandoval did track and field during the off-season. Looking at today's photos, he avoided all of the running events.
— Jon Wallach (@KenGriffeyRules) February 21, 2016
Who wore it better…. #PabloSandoval or @Babchik? #MorningMen pic.twitter.com/ZK61x1qIcO
— Mad Dog Sports Radio (@MadDogRadio) February 22, 2016
@MadDogRadio @Babchik @EvCoRadio Pablo Sandoval. pic.twitter.com/xgQ2oSDTji
— Brent Suriano (@sorryano20) February 22, 2016
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