After 14 Major League seasons, Pablo Sandoval isn’t yet thinking about retirement, as MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports (Twitter link) that the veteran infielder intends to play next year. Sandoval didn’t catch on with another MLB organization after he was released by the Guardians back on July 30, but he is currently playing in the Venezuelan Winter League (his first VEWL appearance in nine years).
Sandoval signed a minor league deal with the Braves last winter and made the Opening Day roster, locking in a $1MM guaranteed salary. The Panda hit .178/.302/.342 with four homers over 86 PA, appearing almost exclusively as a pinch-hitter. After a hot start, Sandoval’s production cooled down considerably, as he had only a single hit in his final 37 PA in a Braves uniform.
Atlanta ended up sending Sandoval to Cleveland as salary offset in a trade deadline swap that ended up being one of the season’s more noteworthy transactions. The Braves dealt Sandoval for future NLCS MVP Eddie Rosario, who ended up being one of the key contributors to the Braves’ World Series title. Of course, the Panda is no stranger to postseason honors himself, after winning three Series rings with the Giants and capturing the World Series MVP award in 2012.
Though Sandoval’s prime years are behind him, the 35-year-old was still a productive part-time bat as recently as 2019, when he hit .268/.313/.507 and 14 home runs over 296 PA with the Giants. Given his long track record, he seems like a good candidate to land somewhere this winter on another minor league contract, as teams can get a first-hand look during Spring Training whether or not Sandoval has anything left in the tank.
why
The prices at the Buffet have gone up…you know, labor costs, supply chain issues, guys like Panda coming in and inhaling the hot bar….
I think Bob wins the award for most original joke of the year. Congratulations hopefully many more brand new never before heard zingers to come
You have nut in your name.
I think that joke died with your great grandmother.
Your comments are rude and hurtful, but I am sure you are a perfect human being. Just not one I’d ever pay to see toss a baseball. Oh, wait! You aren’t a major leaguer! #bekind
Comments are “rude and hurtful”? Oh, come on. Grow a pair. You’re one of those people who wants to change Atlanta’s name to the “Kittens” and have a rule that every park should have “Daffodil Night”. Toughen up, rainflower.
He’s the first Panda that’s a carnivore and will continue playing until he has enough $$$ to buy the buffet, greasy chicken and all.
I was surprised Cleveland just tossed Sandoval away right after they acquired him. They were eliminated and giving up anyway. They could have just sent some bench player back down to the minors to save service time. He was a great team presence with Atlanta and who cares what he does on the field when you are eliminated anyway. The worst case scenario is Cleveland loses more games after being eliminated and they get a higher draft pick. I know he was terrible after those 4 home runs but he was still a fan draw when he came to the plate. Even when he sucked everyone stopped what they were doing to watch when he came up to pinch hit. They might have even been able to sell some Panda shirts. His home runs were so well timed it’s possible the Braves don’t win it without him. Cleveland had to pay him anyway. What did they have to lose by letting the fans look at him for a couple months? Even if it was just for celebrations in the dugout.
Because. Mets missed war, any roster time or ABs you waste on panda is time someone who might have either, a) a future with the team, or b) could be building some sort of value, could’ve been with the team and in the dugout learning or building that value.
Fat-shaming. Cool…
Cool and funny
Why not?
Because those cheap jerkoffs in Oakland will make him their everyday third baseman once they trade Chapman for nothing
He’s to old to play for Oakland.
@geo- this made me literally laugh out loud
It’s like an onion headline, like it could happen!
Kudos sir
Because baseballs fun and he can make at least as much as a Walmart greeter.
Why?!
Sandoval never played for the Guardians, he was released by the Indians.
Can’t imagine who would want him
All anyone needs to know here is that CLE released him before he could even buy a flight on Expedia following the Rosario trade. Any team who even casually considers Sandoval should reevaluate their reason for existing.
Belts are more expensive too.
The Giants just paid $18.4 million for one
Bravo
Hi Tom macari
The absolute best he’s going to get is a non-roster invitation to ST as a courtesy.
Courtesy to him is a free seat at the buffet.
Matt Carpenter wants to play too, but guess what?
The Panda… I would welcome him back in a giants uniform… But no more ice cream shakes please not as much anyways lol…
I love you Panda but it’s time. You’d be a great coach and possibly a manager someday.
Just go away gracefully.
Pablo has never done much gracefully. Sincerely, Red Sox fan
That tells you more about the Red Sox than anything else.
Caught that 2014 World Series foul ball pretty gracefully. Lol
A fat guy who couldn’t run 5 years ago and can’t hit his lower body weight. Teams will be lined up to sign him.
You know what? When it’s time for me to retire and I can see that I’m a fringe employee….I’m done. Period. I guess everyone is just wired differently. Good luck man.
He wasn’t released by the Guardians, he was released by the Indians.
woke
L
That is true he was realsed by the Indians
Let’s split the difference and just refer to them as the ‘dians. In the words of the late poet/warrior Rodney King, “Can’t we just get along?”.
Oh my gawd, your life is falling apart.
hlflew – Bandwagon stuff. Get used to it.
If no DH in the NL a National League team looking strictly for a Pinch Hitter could take a minor league flier on him. With the DH he may still have value. Either way if Pablo gets a chance it’s as NRI to spring training
Would probably get a minimum contract or at least an invite to Spring Training at the least. This reminds me of King Felix trying to continue his legacy with the Orioles and Braves
Let’s not change history please.
He was released by the Indians or by Cleveland!
Does nobody have the heart to tell him that it isn’t 2014 anymore?
Ya know he did great off the bench for the Braves, And he turned into Rosario.
Someone should sign him and use him as a pinch runner only if he moves as fast as he does when he gets up to get in line for the Golden Corral buffet.
Unbelievable amount of mean comments. I have watched fans like you my whole life. Pay your money and tell whatever you want. That’s your right. Just because we’re in the USA doesn’t give you the right to be cruel to someone who’s been kind to fans his entire career. Who donated a lot of his salary to helping others. Who would play for the love of the game. Shame on you.
Are you for real?
Definitely for real. My life has been all about baseball; I spent many innings biting my tongue with fans yelling over my shoulder at my Dad on the field. Hard to take it lightly as you can. No matter the joke, that is someone’s father, son, cousin, uncle, friend you’re talking about. And it does hurt, even if they don’t show it.
The moralizing is a bit heavy for my taste too.
But: brat922 does have a valid point after sifting through all of that. Fans take their “hatred” of players too far sometimes. Well…oftentimes, actually.
After all, it is just a game.
It is weird that these guys are all upset about Panda wanting to play longer. They are so overly sensitive. The guy has fun playing. He is one of Bruce Bochy’s favorite players because he is so joyful. I don’t understand what is upsetting all these cranky boys.
Registered just to tell you to stop being beta and STFU
@jegg Such a tough guy. Oh my gawd, why does The Panda wanting to play baseball upset you?
You can STFU also. You bay area cucks are something else.
Cuck and beta in the same thread. I see somebody learned a new word. I remember when I had my first beer, too.
@jegg I am beta male. Why are you so frightened that Pablo Sandoval wants to pursue a contract in the MLB?
To be fair, he did bilk the Red Sox out of millions.
Hahaha ok
Seems like someone the reds would pick up
Let him pitch to be honest
Same
The only organization incompetent enough to make any kind of offer to Sandoval is COL, and even so they are adverse to outsiders which pretty much kills even that possibility.
Club houses love him, fans love him(except Boston, thanks for paying him millions for us)
Switch hitter, switch pitcher ….. really great guy…. If he has any gas in the tank, then feed the Panda
My softball team needs a first baseman next summer. $50 and all the beer he can drink. Do you think the Panda will entertain the offer?
Tdat1979 – Panda may not be interested, buy I would consider it and you could keep the $50!
Sandoval is back baby!
That’s Cleveland Guardians legend Pablo Sandoval to you
Get paid as long as someone will pay you!
According to informed sources, The Marlins are in on Pablo Sandoval and will remain a serious player right up until he signs with his next team.. The Marlins made a “strong” offer, and are optimistic that no one will match their financial commitment. The Marlins remain major players in the Hot Stove League.
Pablo Sandoval wants to play what in 2022?
plans to play….as teams short order chef. He will eat the left overs too!
Mlb should start a senior circuit…over 35 once was or retired too early due to injuries..play on weekends..b4 or after mlb games. chance to see some old fan favorites. like 5 inning games and put together like 6 teams travel around visiting different ball parks throughout the season. Promote youth baseball.
Bartolo Colon
Brandon Philips
The Panda
Adam Dunn
Scooter Gennett
Harold. Reynolds
Sean Casey
mlb network staff!
I have a feeling Harold Reynolds would beat them all. He’s still athletic.
Jenny Craig will sign his.
Red Sox have another chance!
The Mexican League can use its next ex MLB player.
The Indians released him, you leftwingloonitics.
Fat shaming in 2021? What’s wrong with you people?
Covid-19 agrees.
Haha everyone really is fat.
The Energeezer Panda, he just keeps going on and on, albeit at a much slower pace.
Better get in shape.
Round is a shape.
Gee I plan to play too. Show me the money!