Nov 25, 2014; Boston, Ma, USA; Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington (left) and third baseman Pablo Sandoval hold a jersey during the introductory press conference at Fenway Park. Photo Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
When Pablo Sandoval arrived in Boston early Tuesday, the natives made sure he quickly recognized his new home. The switch-hitting third baseman was greeted at his introductory press conference at Fenway Park by a fan wearing a mascot-type, oversized panda head.
Boston’s new third baseman, who signed a five-year, $100 million contract that includes a sixth-year option, was known as the Kung Fu Panda for his physical likeness to the animated film character and jovial personality.
Sandoval, 28, struck a deal with the Red Sox after seven seasons with the San Francisco Giants, winning World Series championships in three World Series appearances — 2010, 2012, and 2014 — and was a vital component to the team’s victories each time. He helped the Giants to the 2014 title, batting .366 with seven doubles, five RBIs and five walks in 17 postseason games. His 26 hits set a postseason record.
First baseman/catcher Ryan Lavarnway was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Sandoval.
—Free-agent pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is headed back to his native Japan after spending eight years in the major leagues.
The 34-year-old Matsuzaka reached a contract agreement with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, the current Japanese League champions, according to the Japan Times.
In eight major league seasons, Matsuzaka logged a 56-43 record with one save and a 4.48 ERA. He issued 387 walks and had 720 strikeouts in 790 1/3 innings.
—The Cincinnati Reds added former Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers to their front-office staff on Tuesday as a special assistant for player personnel.
Towers takes over for Bob Miller, who left after nine seasons with the Reds to become an assistant general manager with the Washington Nationals.
The Reds also named Jeff Schugel as a special assistant for pro scouting. Schugel was with the Atlanta Braves last season as a special assistant and also has worked for the Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels during a 31-year career in baseball.
Towers, 53, was Arizona’s general manager for the past four years. Before that, he served as San Diego Padres general manager from 1996 to 2009.
—The San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs appear to be interested in landing free-agent pitcher Jon Lester, according to reports Tuesday.
After the Giants lost third baseman Pablo Sandoval to the Boston Red Sox, it was reported that Lester has a meeting next week with the World Series champions. Other reports indicated that the Cucbs offered the left-hander a six-year contract worth more than $135 million. Both teams are attempting to bolster their starting pitching.
Lester finished last season with the Oakland Athletics after a deal with the Red Sox at the trade deadline in July. With Lester boosting the A’s staff, Oakland reached the playoffs before losing 9-8 in 12 innings to Kansas City in the American League wild-card game.
The 31-year-old Lester was 6-4 with a 2.35 ERa in 11 starts with the A’s and 16-11 overall with a 2.46 ERA in 32 starts last season between the two teams. He logged a career-high 219 2/3 innings.
