Talk Is All About Sandoval Visit, Lester

Latest sports talk is focused on the visit to Boston by Pablo Sandoval. The Panda is getting the grand tour of Fenway Park & the Boston area. He is meeting with Sox management today. Supposedly, he is looking for 5 years & $80 to $90 million. Russell Martin signing for 5 years & $82 million may have set the bar for above-average, but not superstar players. As Ortiz said, the Panda has never been a 30 HR/100 RBI guy. But Sandoval is only 28 & coming into his prime. Christopher Russo on MLB Network said that perhaps the Panda will replace Ortiz once Big Papi retires. Too bad Will Middlebrooks couldn't have been more productive & couldn't have locked down 3B last year. In addition, Peter Gammons said Cubs sources think Jon Lester will re-sign with the Red Sox. Lester is scheduled to visit Atlanta, a team close to his home, & the Cardinals are also interested in the big lefty. I am hopeful that the Red Sox will get him back. Once Lester or Scherzer signs, the other dominos will fall. Something will happen as we get closer to Thanksgiving.