Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) signs autographs before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
It's safe to say Pablo Sandoval is far from winning the hearts of Boston fans. One day after the Red Sox announced Sandoval would be benched on Opening Day in favor of starting Travis Shaw at third base, one innovative Boston fan decided to list Sandoval for sale on Craigslist.
The ad listed Sandoval's condition as "salvage" and added a warning that offering to "eat the salary of the contract does not include cost to feed this man." It also includes items the seller would accept in return for Sandoval, including a used car ("rust is fine, doesn't need a steering wheel"), partially used Marlboro gift cards or "someone to volunteer to teach [Cuban prospect Yoan] Moncada English."
Although the parody ad says it would like to sell Sandoval, the offer only goes out to baseball teams outside of the American League East. It is otherwise a very inclusive ad, however, as it is willing to offer Sandoval even to "most co-ed softball leagues."
Meanwhile, Boston fans on Twitter continued with their harsh treatment of the third baseman. Many made jokes about his weight.
One fan came up with a dream destination for Sandoval.
Even a Boston cartoonist got in on the action.
But there is one person who sympathizes with Sandoval's plight: former Red Sox Carl Crawford. The outfielder, like Sandoval, was an absolute disaster in Boston. He lasted just over a year with the Red Sox before he was sent to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a blockbuster deal in which Boston shipped players seen by the fans as dead weight (Crawford, Josh Beckett and Adrian Gonzalez) to L.A.
Crawford was asked by Yahoo! Sports recently about Sandoval's situation in Boston, and the outfielder acknowledged life will be tough for Sandoval.
Via Yahoo! Sports:
Although "eats at you" might not be the best phrase to use when trying to sympathize with Sandoval, Crawford's points are valid. The rabid Boston market is a tough place to survive once you lose the support of the fans.
Even Sandoval's agent is learning that lesson. MLB insider Jon Heyman made an appearance on a Boston sports talk radio show Friday and claimed Sandoval's agent dared to compare Sandoval to a Ferrari.
It took just minutes for Red Sox fans on Twitter to poke fun at that statement.
This is going to be hard for Sandoval to come back from.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.