Pablo Sandoval: Unflattering photo 'caught me at a bad angle'

Pablo Sandoval apparently knows a thing or two about posing for photos.

The new Boston Red Sox third baseman responded Thursday to an unflattering photo of himself that began circulating after he arrived for spring training.

Here it is again if you didn't catch it:

"Critics have said that I am lazy, that I am not working hard; that picture caught me at a bad angle," Sandoval told ESPN. "But once again, let them say whatever they want to say. I will prove who I am on the field and show Boston fans how hard I am working to be a champion with this team, too.

"Let them talk, talk and criticize. No matter what they say, it will never change me or the player that I am."

Sandoval has struggled with his weight throughout his big-league career, but his accomplishments speak for themselves: he's a three-time World Series champion and was named MVP of the 2012 Fall Classic.

Sandoval inked a five-year, $95-million contract with the Red Sox in November.