Early Christmas Present in Boston; Sandoval, Ramirez Sign with Red Sox

By Francisco Romero. – Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez are the newest members of the Boston Red Sox. 

According to a Red Sox press release Sandoval signed a five-year contract through the 2019 season with a club option for 2020.  Ramirez signed a four-year contract through the 2018 season.

Picture Courtesy of mlb.com/AP

Sandoval, nicknamed Kung-Fu Panda, played for the 2014 World Series Champions San Francisco Giants, while Ramirez, 30 had been a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2012.

Sandoval helped the Giants win three World Series (2010, 2012, 2014); he was named World Series MVP in 2012.

Last season, Sandoval, a switch-hitter batted .279 with 26 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs, and 73 RBI in a career-high 157 regular season games and 153 starts. He was the ninth-hardest National Leaguer to strike out (7.5 plate appearances per strikeout).

Ramirez returns to Boston, he was originally signed by the Red Sox as an international free agent in 2000, the Dominican native made his big league debut in 2005. The following offseason, nine years ago last Monday, he was traded to the Florida Marlins as part of a seven-player deal that brought Mike Lowell and Josh Beckett to Boston.

“I am really happy to be back to Boston and hopefully I can finish my career here,” said Ramirez during a press conference.

A three-time National League All-Star, Ramirez, 30, hit .283 with 35 doubles, 13 home runs, 71 RBI, 56 walks, and 14 stolen bases in 128 games for the division-champion Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014 as the club’s primary shortstop.

According to espn.com Sandoval’s deal is a five year pact worth $95 million with a $17 million club option for a sixth year and Ramirez deal is four-year $88 million contract.

“I know that I had a great career in San Francisco, I am going to have a new one here, new challenges,” said Sandoval as he was introduced to the Boston media.