As a pending free agent coming off major surgery, Giants corner infielder Pablo Sandoval is heading into the offseason facing an especially uncertain future. If the 33-year-old gets his way, though, he’ll remain in San Francisco.
“Yeah, I want to be back,” Sandoval told John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. “I want to retire from this organization. I’d love to be back with my teammates. We had a lot of fun.”
This will be the second trip to the open market for Sandoval, who exited the Giants for the Red Sox’s huge offer in November 2014. Then fresh off his third World Series title as a Giant, the two-time All-Star landed a five-year, $95MM contract that ultimately couldn’t have worked out worse for the Red Sox. Not only did Sandoval’s production tank in Boston, but injuries kept him off the field on a regular basis. The Red Sox deemed Sandoval a sunk cost in July 2017, releasing him with just under $50MM left on his deal. He’ll finally be off their books going into next season.
Sandoval didn’t look like a realistic bounce-back candidate when the Red Sox cut ties with him. However, he has served as a useful role player in his second act as a Giant. The Kung Fu Panda has batted .259/.311/.466 (105 wRC+) with 23 home runs in 548 plate appearances dating back to the start of the 2018 season.
Despite his recent return to relevance in San Francisco, Sandoval’s journeying back to free agency at an inopportune time. He only took one at-bat from Aug. 10 forward because of a right elbow injury – one that forced him to undergo Tommy John surgery and a more minor arthroscopic procedure Sept. 5. To make matters worse, Sandoval revealed afterward that the doctors found more damage in his elbow than they’d anticipated. He’s now facing “lots of rehab,” as Shea writes. Nevertheless, whether with the Giants or another team, Sandoval aims to keep his career going in 2020.
He was having a terrific season. It’s too bad he went down when he did. . .
I don’t know if they will have room for panda when he gets healthy. But if he can stay in shape. And show them that he’s game for one or two more years at a very low minimum salary. Sure. I’d like to have him back as a backup third and firstbasmen. Pinch hitter…
Don’t forget relief pitcher lol, and he can still catch.
“Terrific” is an overstatement. I’d agree with the ‘useful roleplayer’ analysis provided by the author. His overall performance was average-ish (just a tick below), but he brought a nice clubhouse presence — to such a degree that he clearly made some perceive his average-ish production as “terrific” while saying they would like him as a backup CIF…
How much pain did this dude play thru this season ? Throws from third and pitching had to hurt! Gets some respect for toughness with his elbow in such disarray! I’ll take a cheap Pablo if we’re not competing and he’s useful!
He certainly won’t be retiring in a Red Sox uniform.
I still can’t believe John Henry gave this clown that contract
John Henry, Red Sox Management, Red Sox fan base, was excited to give the Panda that contract. I laughed when you got excited about that contract. You are a sucker.
To be fair, the Giants and Padres had similar offers on the table.
Actually he won’t be off the Red Sox books until 2021. They owe him a 5 mil buyout on an option in 2020.
The option counts against the 2019 threshold tax. So effectively, he’s off the books following January when the league adjusts the taxes levied upon franchises.
We’re all hoping he retires, a Giant.
He only wants to stay because he knows this the only team that cam give him FT playing time
That Sandoval wants to stay cuz SF is the only stupid team to let him in their roster!!!!
Granted.
Red Sox fans may think he’s a lazy bum, but these past two years in SF he’s been one of the most hardworking players I’ve ever seen.
I was actually upset when they signed him away from the Giants because he was such a fan favorite. I didn’t think the Red Sox actually needed him that badly, they just overreacted to a poor offensive year by their hitters. I’m happy that he had success back with the Giants, he never should have left. Sometimes free agency is bad for baseball players (except for the money).
Why, this guy has no honor. A team pays in good intention expecting a player to live up to his ability n not eat himself outta playing shape since Boston paid him in good faith. Boston was at fault by NOSt putting a Wright clause in his contract, n I doubt that happens again. They were really at fault in that way. He would’ve been embraced in Boston, too bad he rather hit the buffet line!
Not putting a weight clause!!^^
Honestly, if he comes back from surgery I’d give him a roster spot as long as he’s productive. He’s such a fan and team favorite. Really brings something fun to the ballpark. He’s not old – 33 right? – and as long as he can produce on a minimum salary give him a shot.
Eventually, he retires and will work for the Giants in some capacity.
33 is pretty old in not-HOFer, not juicer baseball years…
Jek, maybe he should apologize to Boston for taking their money n ate himself silly over the winter to the point he couldn’t bend over to pick a ground ball, n break his belt when he swung the bat!
He is disgusting!
“This will be the second trip to the open market for Sandoval”
I somehow thought the second time was when the Red Sox released him.
I think they mean to imply it’s the second time he os going to be looking for a free agent contract. The Giants only had to pay league minimum on the remainder of his contract as the Sox were on the hook for the rest.
He will, a Giant waste of a huge contract…
I can’t believe they waste a volume on this slacker! I doubt anyone other then a couple ppl in SF who cares.
He was a league minimum backup that put up a 114OPS+ and a 1.5bWAR; pretty much every team in baseball would take that kind of production 100 times out of a 100.
bless all the rational posters in irrational threads!
Colume^
The Panda will be back with the SFG…
Will he really be able to play in 2020? If so, will he be effective given his age and injuries? I doubt it. Bochy and Sandoval had a special relationship which won’t be the case with a new manager. In addition the Giants will probably have Crawford and Belt as part-timers. Can they really afford to have Sandoval occupying a roster spot. I think a nice gesture would be to place him on the roster on Pablo Sandoval day which will be his swan song as he retires.
Sandoval was more productive than Crawford and Belt combined while playing about a third of the games.
I’m fine if he comes back and fine if he doesn’t. I also have no problem that he accepted an offer from the Red Sox, that was his prerogative. I have no respect for HOW he left San Francisco though. “Only Bochy. I love Boch. He’s like my Dad. He’s the only guy that I miss. And Hunter Pence. Just those guys.” Sure, he apologized. Too little too late
He wants bk to SF cuz his money is ending(the big amount) from the Redsox, n his Buffet appearances will be limited!
We get it, you’re a butt-hurt Redsox fan who doesn’t like Pablo Sandoval. Enough of the buffet jokes, it’s a tired unfunny joke.