While Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and Alex Bregman are among the big prizes of the Boston Red Sox’s offseason, one other new pitching signing has not been discussed enough.
Armed with high praise from manager Alex Cora, newly signed lefty arm Patrick Sandoval has been grinding in the background of spring training, doing all he can to make an impact on the team in 2025.
Sandoval, who the Red Sox signed on a two-year deal worth $18.25 million in December, was more of a piece for the future, as the soft paw is recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had back in June.
However, the former Los Angeles Angel hopes to make an impact for the Red Sox in the latter half of 2025, as Cora sees him as a significant contributor to the team down the line.
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
“Obviously, the rehab process is the rehab process… He’s locked in. We do believe our staff can speed up things, but we’re going to be patient. If it happens, it’s a lefty with a good fastball. He’s been there, done that. He’s a guy who we faced a few times and that four-seamer takes off. Good dude, great guy. He’s happy. He brings experience, too. He can talk to guys. He’s a guy who whenever he gets here, he’s gonna be like a big addition for us.”
Even though Sandoval struggled in a short season with the Angels last year (pitching to a 5.08 era in 79.2 innings), he still showed signs of quality. In addition to his 3.87 FIP, Sandoval possesses good stuff, averaging 9.2 SO/9 in 2024.
Sandoval is a solid upgrade to Nick Pivetta for Boston. While Pivetta also proved to be a high strikeout pitcher like Sandoval, he had significant issues keeping the ball in the yard, averaging an HR/9 of 1.5 in his five seasons with the Red Sox. On the other hand, Sandoval has always been good at limiting home runs, as he has a career HR/9 of just 0.9.
While questions remain about whether Sandoval will impact the 2025 club, the Red Sox are happy to have him and expect him to be a piece of their rotation in the future.
