Branford's Mike Olt's Possible Path To The Red Sox May Be Getting Easier

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

BRANFORD, CT – Branford’s Mike Olt’s possible path to the Boston Red Sox may have just gotten a bit easier. Olt, who plays both third and first base for the Red Sox AA affiliate Portland Sea Dogs, has a few players ahead of him in his quest to make the major league club.

The biggest one – at least contract-wise – was removed on Friday when the Red Sox designated third baseman Pablo Sandoval for assignment, swallowing nearly $50 million in salary.

Sandoval has been a huge disappointment for the Red Sox since he was signed to a $95 million contract in 2015, after being a star for the San Francisco Giants.

While there are other third baseman playing the hot corner for the Red Sox currently, Sandoval, or “Big Panda” as he is better known, is now out of the way as Olt attempts to move up the depth charts.

Olt is hitting .244 and is second on the Sea Dogs in home runs, with 12. He has knocked in 39 runs.