The Pablo Sandoval era is officially over in Boston
The Red Sox released third baseman Pablo Sandoval on Wednesday, five days after designating him for assignment.
The release officially brings to a close one of the worst free agent acquisitions in team history, although the Red Sox still owe Sandoval $48.3 million of the five-year, $95 million contract he signed in November of 2014. He was offered an assignment to Triple A Pawtucket, but he refused.
Sandoval hit .237 with 14 homers and 59 RBIs in three seasons with the Red Sox. He missed 252 games and played 161 during the 2015, 2016, and 2017 seasons.
“It really came down to us feeling that we were not a better club if he was on our club at the major league level,’’ team president Dave Dombrowski said last week.
Sandoval is now a free agent. If he signs with another team, the Red Sox would be responsible for all but the prorated minimum of his contract through 2018.
