On the same day fellow free agent slugger Adam LaRoche was confirmed as joining the Chicago White Sox, Sandoval officially joined the Red Sox with a five-year deal worth $95 million (76.2 million euros).
Sandoval's deal and a four-year Boston agreement with Hanley Ramirez worth $88 million were revealed in multiple media reports Monday, but the Red Sox did not confirm the Ramirez deal.
Sandoval, a 28-year-old Venezuelan, spent the past six seasons with the Giants, earning World Series Most Valuable Player honors in 2012 and helped championship runs in 2010 and last month as well.
"I need a new challenge," Sandoval said. "I'm happy to be here right now."
In 869 games for the Giants, Sandoval batted .294 hitter with 192 doubles, 106 home runs and 462 runs batted in.
He hit .366 for the Giants in this year's playoffs, including a .429 average against Kansas City in the World Series, in which the Giants beat the Royals in the maximum seven games.
"There was a lot about Pablo that appealed to us," Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said. "This was an opportunity to add a really great player, a great person, and a great fit for our team at a position we need."
The Red Sox had the second-worst batting average in the American League last season at .244 but should be bolstered by Ramirez and Sandoval, whose departure brought a farewell statement of praise from the Giants.
"Pablo Sandoval has been a key member of the Giants since breaking into the majors with us in 2008," the team said in a statement. "He has been with us through some of the greatest moments in San Francisco Giants history."
Also Tuesday, the White Sox confirmed a two-year deal worth $25 million with 35-year-old first baseman LaRoche, a left-handed power hitter who will join American League Rookie of the Year Jose Abreu in the heart of Chicago's lineup.
LaRoche, who joins from Washington Nationals, has belted 20 or more homers in nine of his past 10 seasons.
"Adam's signing addresses several important needs for our club heading into the 2015 season," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "He provides a proven left-handed bat in the middle of our lineup, brings a valuable mix of the ability to get on base and power, and he is a veteran leader on the field and in the clubhouse."
LaRoche owns a career .264 average with 264 homers and 838 runs batted in over 1,478 games with Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Boston, Arizona and Washington.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
