Red Sox dump Pablo Sandoval, prepare to swallow nearly $50 million

The Boston Red Sox designated third baseman Pablo Sandoval for assignment, the team announced Friday, opting to cut ties with the Kung Fu Panda and  likely swallowing nearly $50 million in salary rather than bring him back following the completion of his rehab assignment.

Sandoval, who was on the Red Sox disabled list after appearing in 32 games this season, is midway through the third season of a five-year, $95 million contract that he signed after putting up big numbers with the San Francisco Giants.

He is due around $7.7 million for the remainder of this season, and $41 million for 2018-19 and the $5 million buyout of a 2020 team option. The roughly $48.65 million owed Sandoval is believed to be the second-largest severance check cut in major league history, behind the $68 million the Los Angeles Angels - and to a lesser extent, Texas Rangers - owe Josh Hamilton.

The 30-year-old Sandoval will not grant permission for the Red Sox to send him to the minors, and if released as expected, his salary counts against luxury tax threshold -- minus any salary from where he might potentially land next on another team. A trade is still possible in the next week, although unlikely. 

Friday's move spells the end of Sandoval's struggle since his arrival in Boston. This season, he batted just .212 with a .622 OPS despite showing promise in spring training. He had just seven at-bats in 2016 before undergoing shoulder surgery. The Red Sox had left Sandoval in Class AAA Pawtucket this season much longer than expected to rehab an inner ear infection and right knee sprain, signaling a breakup.

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The Red Sox cannot option Sandoval to the minor leagues without his approval. He'll surely clear waivers, and will likely be released after he goes unclaimed.

Sandoval was a .294 hitter with an .846 OPS in seven seasons with the San Francisco Giants, and was the MVP of the 2012 World Series. He caught the final out of Game 7 of the 2014 World Series, the third the Giants won with the "Kung Fu Panda" in tow. 

He was unable to duplicate his magic in Boston - a franchise that's created plenty of dead money in its recent past.

Last season, the Los Angeles Dodgers released Carl Crawford, eating the final $35 million owed to the outfielder. That sum came as part of a seven-year, $142 million deal Crawford signed in Boston before the 2009 season. 

They are also paying Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo $72.5 million through 2020; Castillo has just 317 major league at bats in parts of three seasons.