Ramirez and Sandoval?!

[bluedigger]

Looks like the Red Sox are about to bag the Panda, and also have signed Hanley Ramirez. Okay, Lester, get on board!

It looks like there will be Pandamonium in Boston after all.

Fresh off the news that the Red Sox have signed infielder Hanley Ramirez comes the report that free agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval is also coming to Boston.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweeted Monday morning that "Sandoval has agreement to go to the red sox for 5 years, close to 100M."
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2014/11/red_sox_reportedly_reach_100_million_deal_with_pab.html?p1=menu_sports_main_hp

[JeffHead]

1. Now sign Lester and another pitcher. ..

Get rid of Middlebrooks and start dumping spare outfielders and we're set. Damn good day to be a Sox fan.

[bluedigger]

17. Only problem with Middlebrooks is, who wants him?

He should really be grateful if anybody thinks he could be a utility infielder in MLB at this point.

[JeffHead]

18. Well, Jenny Dell for one...

Maybe he can wrangle her mike cord while she does sideline reports at nfl games.

[Auggie]

2. Sox are getting taken at $100 million

[bluedigger]

3. I have to agree.

I think they are looking to replace Ortiz with Panda at DH, eventually. Still a lot of $$.

[Cartoonist]

4. So, how's the food in Boston?

He'll make a great DH at first, but with no need to keep in shape to handle 3rd base, I expect Panda's wardrobe will grow in size. As a Giants fan, I'm glad we had him at his prime.

[bluedigger]

7. He'll have watch the clam chowdah, for sure.

San Francisco isn't exactly a culinary wasteland, of course.

Sadly for me, I'm in the Four Corners - can I interest you in some flatbread?

[ProfessorGAC]

22. I Thought It Was Pronounced "Show-Dare"

I saw it in a Simpson's episode.

[bluedigger]

23. I think that's the Canuck inflection.

Now I'm probably going to get in trouble for saying "Canuck".

[Auggie]

5. By July there's going to be moaning from Sox fans over his low RBI production

and propensity for swinging at bad pitches.

I think Sandoval will come to regret this decision too. Bay Area fans and media are a lot more foregiving than those of the East Coast. I wish him well, but he should have stayed in San Francisco for a litttle less money.

[bluedigger]

6. You Giants fans don't waste any time turning on your heroes, do you?

In one sentence you denigrate him and the next you wish he had stayed.

[Auggie]

8. I said HE will wish he stayed

I've always said that about Sandoval at the plate. I have also said I think losing him will probably mess up the team chemistry and hoped he would have stayed but not at the risk of breaking the bank. Giants still have to sign two starters, a set-up reliever, and a left fielder, and still have money to re-sign Madison Bumgarner in a few years.

[Cartoonist]

10. He turned on us

After he said he loves SF and its fans, he leaves for a mere 5% difference in salary.
I am sick of sports figures who say they love the fans and then sign for whoever gives him more money. I wish some player would come out and tell the truth, money is all they're interested in. Not the fans, not the city, and not winning, Just show me the money.

[bluedigger]

12. We had our "Clemens moment" long ago.

You'll get over it.

[Cartoonist]

13. I'm optimistic for the Giants

And I thank Panda for the memories. I fully support the management for not paying the ransom. One player does not a team make. Besides, I don't think Panda has more than two years left in him as a position player. Moving to the AL is probably the best for him. I hope we see you guys in the World Series. Will there be any interleague games between SF and Boston this year?

[bluedigger]

16. No, it's AL East v. NL East this year.

I think this may be best for Panda, too. Two years sounds about right for the move to the DH - Big Papi can't keep going forever. I don't think.

[Auggie]

20. He said he was going to follow his heart. BTW, one thing in Sandoval's favor ...

as a left-handed hitter in Fenway he doesn't deal with AT&T Park's right field. So maybe his power numbers do increase -- provided he lays off the bad pitches.

[El Supremo]

9. Can you get empenadas and arepas in Boston?

It would be good if you can't.

[bluedigger]

11. I would assume so.

I used to love me some empenadas when I was working in San Juan PR back in the day.

[joeybee12]

14. Big names and big salaries usually never work out for the Red Sox...

We shall see about this.

[bluedigger]

15. I'm tempering my expectations.

Still, the Sox are making this offseason interesting, at least. Remember last winter? Me, either.

[joeybee12]

21. I usually don't pay attention to the off-season...

Especially after this season's ON-season.