Pablo Sandoval messed up. He knows it and the Boston Red Sox know it.
But while it’s easy and fair to criticize the third baseman following this week’s social media mishap, there is reason to believe the Red Sox are dealing with an isolated incident rather than a longstanding issue.
“We never had a problem with Pablo in that regard,” San Francisco Giants general manager Bobby Evans told The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo in the wake of the Red Sox benching Sandoval for a game.
Sandoval, who signed a five-year, $95 million contract with the Red Sox over the offseason, was beloved during his seven seasons with the Giants. The Panda won three World Series titles, earned two National League All-Star selections and became a fan favorite as much for his likable personality as his propensity for stepping up in clutch situations.
The 28-year-old’s Boston tenure isn’t off to the best start, however, and his in-game Instagram use Wednesday only raised more questions about the future of the Red Sox, regardless of whether or not one thinks the transgression itself was that big of a deal.
“I never thought I’d see the day where a guy would be charged with breaking a rule over Instagram,” a veteran NL scout watching the Red Sox told Cafardo. “When it rains, it pours.”
Sandoval has swung the bat better of late. And his track record suggests he won’t be a clubhouse problem for the Red Sox moving forward. Using Instagram in the midst of another loss isn’t a good look, though, especially when defeats have become the norm and everyone is under a microscope.
At least Sandoval didn’t make excuses. And at least this hasn’t been an issue before.
Thumbnail photo via Brad Rempel/USA TODAY Sports Images
