Veteran infielder Pablo Sandoval is set to reunite with the Giants this spring, as reported by Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area this afternoon. Sandoval is expected to join the club on a minor league deal with a non-roster invitation to big league Spring Training. Pavlovic makes clear that Sandoval’s situation is different from that of longtime Giants reliever Sergio Romo last year. Back in March, Romo returned to San Francisco on a non-roster deal of his own with a plan for it to be a ceremonial final stop before retirement. Pavlovic indicates that Sandoval, by contrast, is hoping to make a comeback after last appearing in the majors back in 2021.
The 37-year-old veteran began his professional career with the Giants as a 17-year-old back in 2004. He made his big league debut with the club back in 2008 and went on to win three World Series championships with the club before departing for the Red Sox via free agency ahead of the 2015 season. Sandoval’s stay in Boston would be fairly shortly-lived, however, as he struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness over parts of three seasons with the Red Sox before the club designated him for assignment in July of 2017. He re-signed with the Giants just days later and spent the next three years in a bench role with the club, slashing a league-average .253/.308/.437 in 642 trips to the plate in a Giants uniform from 2018 to 2020.
Sandoval parted ways with the Giants for a second time late in the shortened 2020 campaign, and after being released by the club latched on with the Braves. He made one appearance for Atlanta during the stretch run before returning for the 2021 season, where he contributed off the bench in 69 games before he was traded to Cleveland in exchange for Eddie Rosario just before that year’s trade deadline. Sandoval was released immediately following the trade without making an appearance for his new club. Since his last big league opportunity, Sandoval has appeared in several leagues in Latin America, including a 91-game stint in the Mexican League back in 2022. The Panda last appeared in a professional game in Dubai last fall.
Given the fact that Sandoval is just a few months shy of his 38th birthday and hasn’t played in affiliated ball since the 2021 season, he’s surely a longshot to make the club’s 40-man roster entering the season. The odds appear particularly long given the club’s plethora of options at the infield corners, including J.D. Davis, Wilmer Flores, and LaMonte Wade Jr. With that being said, the switch-hitting veteran sports a career .285/.337/.457 slash line across parts of 11 seasons in San Francisco and will surely bring his energy and veteran presence to the Giants clubhouse this spring, whether he manages to secure a role on the club’s bench for the 2024 campaign or not.
I thought he retired
Damn Ohtani 2.0. Watch out for the Giants making meaningless moves
He is only 37 years old and was playing in that baseball United league as well.
A minor league deal never hurts see what he has left in the tank and call it a day.
There where a few big name guys over there andy Simmonds, Robby Cano, Panda come to my mind immediately. But there were/are lots of former prospects and guys who topped out at AAA. I believe the 1st draft pick there was a Indian guy who played affiliated ball. Also each club had 2 prospects from the area on the teams aswell i believe
Are the Red Sox still paying him? lol.
Panda! We love you! Maybe he lost 60 lbs and will be great! Hers to hope
This assures everyone that his Hall of Fame bust will be wearing a Giants cap.
( yea, just joking, but he was fun to watch for a while. )
Murphy, do you mean Andrelton Simmons?
My thoughts exactly
Be real.
Tf you;re talking weight, that’s 400
If you’re talking weight, that’s 400+ (I got to start putting my glasses on)
Still not funny
Actually just saw a recent picture of him and he is thinner than he has ever been. Probably rocking some Ozempac.
His #s have actually been worse when he’s dropped weight. There’s a pretty good YouTube video about heavier MLB players and their #s dropping when teams started harping on them about weight.
I know it seems odd, but its a sport where running is limited compared to other sports. Obviously this isn’t going to apply universally to all players. But added mass helps hitting to an extent as it also does with pitchers. And it just seems you have these unique players every now and then such as Panda, David Wells, the Fielder’s, etc.. where their size just helped them excel in certain attributes of the game.
Good point. But I think in Sandoval’s case there was a sort of mid-range when he was at his best. When his weight was less he wasn’t as good. but over that range and he also wasn’t good. In the 2010 WS he was overweight, didn’t produce, and was benched most of the series.
I thought he signed to join Baseball United in the Middle East. He was drafted in the first round by the Falcons. Did the league fold already?? lol
Signed…..as a Coach, right??
He was playing in Dubai last I saw
Choi, Vogelbach, Sandoval..the fat has been skimmed from the free agent pool this weekend.
Wonder how much he weighs now.
Much rather have Panda than Joc “Baby Panda” Pederson. Even at 37 YOA he can hit from both sides of the plate & doesn’t have to be a part-time DH
Hahahahahahhaaaaaa
San Fran……Where every Pregnant Man belongs
LMAO….. I am still laughing.
Lmao
What’s so funny?
He’s hired on as camp chef
Cheesesteaks and Twinkies for everyone!
This is a MoTie Cardinals-sequel singing.
You’d think the GIANTS would only sign players like him.
The Panda is back
So…no Chapman?
I have no idea
The possibility of them signing Chapman was diminished when they signed Soler.
Hopefully. A series of overpays is what got them into trouble in the first place.
More that a failure to develop talent got them in trouble and they tried to buy their way out. They haven’t developed a legit position player since the Pablo, Buster, Crawford era. Panik was a flash in the pan, as was Duffy. Not a single outfielder to speak of outside of Brian Reynolds who never even played in SF. Poor drafting/development is the problem with this team.
Tell that to these studs coming up. Great upside with quite a few of these pitchers.
That’s awesome and I’m really pulling for them to do well. Just wish they could have a home grown all star outfielder some time soon. Chili Davis was the last one and he is 64 years old. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.
I couldn’t agree with you more! It’s a tough business looking for the diamond in the rough with these prospects.
It wasn’t development, it was drafting and assessment. I would say it was development of all the guys they traded away did better elsewhere but only two guys did and that was Duvall and Reynolds on the position players side, virtually everyone else they traded somehow got worse. On the pitching side they have done great developmentally but again drafted really poorly. For the first time you are seeing guys actually come up and do well now.
I’m really hoping they trade Bart to feed my curiosity of how he’ll perform for a different club. I feel that he still has a ton of potential that’s untapped..he could end up like Reynolds/Duvall or Arroyo/Fox..
I hope they take him too but I definitely don’t see him being a lot more than a mid tier catcher at best. You definitely can’t point to them not knowing how to develop catchers when Bailey came in 2nd in the gg voting after only playing a half a season
True, I’m actually referring to his bat than glove..Giants do a great job w/thier catchers defensively, but it’s telling w/Bart when his defensive skills are not to par w/Sabol even..
Chapman is asking for 150 mil; unless he seriously lowers his demands, then no Chapman. This “signing” does nothing to affect him.
Panda-monium!
Farhans like those 7-11 owners I sell to. Pretty wealthy yet still offer me $200 for a $800 IPhone.
You need to sell better.
@foppert I value my time so it’s annoying wasting my time jacking. Off there when we can make a fair deal. I always end up on the losing end with the 7-11 people.
Shadow. Farhan can sign the lower tier free agents as well.
“Don’t get mad Verlander”
Take THAT Dodgers!!
I rather see this deal for Madbum…
Let’s you know the condition of the SF infield.
Probably should be like Romo and just retire as a Giant, which may happen at the end of training camp anyway
Agree. Giants are probably doing him a favor and letting him see whether there’s anything left. That being doubtful, he can then retire as a Giant.
My jaw is on the ground
I’m just here with popcorn to see Giants fan’s reactions
Guard it carefully, Pablo looks like he’s sniffing the air
Giants fans are mostly chill, it’s the so-called “Farhan haters” that seem to flock to articles like this.
Thank you for that, no truer words were ever spoken. Different fan bases have different cultures, for the Yankees every season they don’t take it all is a failure, for Cubs fans they’ll fill the stadium even if they have no hopes, for Giants fans they want to compete but they love their players. Barry Zito would probably get a standing ovation at Oracle on the basis of one game.
For this article I assumed it was Red Sox fans coming over, they haven’t had anything specific to complain about recently and hold a lot of ill will towards panda.
This Giants’ fan sees this as a nothing-burger. He’d have to be exceptional to even make the 40-man. He probably won’t be. So what? I suppose he could conceivably bump Otto Lopez off the roster, but I don’t see even that.
It totally is a nothing burger, but a head scratcher nonetheless. When you look at what some of these teams have done, Reds with a million infielders, Royals spending money on a team that just sucks, Rockies with no plan whatsoever, Marlins have a great core but won’t spend, Padres loaded with Superstars but no outfield to speak of, Giants just seem to be sitting on their hands, Cards have some talent but hamstrung by Mo and Marmol, and the Pirates just suck. It’s just fascinating! It’s like everyone is conceding the season to the Braves, Diamondbacks, Phillies and Dodgers again, with also-ran status going to the Rangers, Yankees and Blue Jays. The rest are hoping to just get to the postseason and see what happens.
I don’t think this as anything to do with the Giants’ roster building, or competing against other teams. I think they’re just doing Sandoval a favor. He apparently doesn’t want to retire until he’s given it another try. The Giants are willing to let him find out. If he’s got anything left, I doubt it will be with the Giants. If he’s truly done, he retires as a Giant.
Donuts deferred ’til 2034?
Giants Brass : Crap, we just found another pallet of panda hats. Where are we gonna get rid of these ?
Zaidi : Hold my beer…
I think they opened the storage area with 30,000 forgotten bobbleheads and a light bulb went off…
Spring Training giveaway at Oracle Park!
He’s listed at 5″10″ and 268 lbs. It would be hard to hit a ball through him, but to one side or the other is where the problem is.
268 kilos.
And why are we not giving MadBum an invite?
Mason Saunders is out on the rodeo circuit right now.
Because they’re waiting to see if Barry Zito wants to try a comeback silly!
True. Zito first then Bum. Could you imagine, a Webb, Zito, Bumgarner trio at the top of our rotation!!!
This is very, very stupid. :-/
chill he’s most likely making less than 80k on this contract. nothing to worry about. if he does bad he does bad. they can easily pay the money.
Hey, I mean he hit .311 for Tabasco in the Mexican league in 2022!
Wow. The Panda loves playing baseball.
Fun fact: Sandoval got another ring in 2021 for his time with the braves
Pablo Sandoval? BAHAHAHAHAA
Zaidi’s commitment to insuring that the SF Giants maintain their undisputed status as the laughingstock of the NL West never ceases to amaze me
You’re extremely gullible if you believe Sandoval will see any time in a Giants’ uni. He’s about as long a shot as you could possibly have.
*Ensuring
Bro, snark only works if you can spell
Welcome home Pablo! We all love you!
Not all of us. Some what he said when he left has always left a very bad taste in my mouth. Marketing and Bochy were the only reason he was allowed to comeback at first, since literally no other team wanted him.
Cooper—what he said when he left was horrible, I was pissed too but Big Papi had gotten in his head. When he returned, he was totally humbled and redeemed himself. He said all the right things. Everyone screws up at some point in their lives, that was his screw up and he realized it big time
Giants shoring up the bullpen I see
A lot of clubs seem to live in the past but the Giants seem to be guilty of that more than most. Move on.
Not true slowcurve, if you were a Giants fan you would know that the Giants are respectful to both current and past Giants, they treat everyone as family. Pablo is just seeing what he has in the tank and can retire as a Giant. No harm no foul. We all love him and will welcome him with open arms
Yes they do. Especially Giant WS title winners. It’s good.
slowcurve, You’re confusing how the Giants honor past players with how they deal with current players. They’ve let Sandoval walk previously, as well as other popular players like Bumgarner, Belt, Crawford, and Solano, when they felt better options were available.. Their treating former players like family is not the same as their unemotional handling of the current roster.
Those players you let walk probably 2 seasons too late. Thus the lapse in competitive window. Never a true rebuild, just treading water. I’ve always liked the Giants, and their even-year run was fun to watch, but the team hasn’t done a great job of competing since then. Granted you have Los Angeles Moneybags down the coast, so it’s a tough division for sure. I wouldn’t say SF honors their alumni any different than other teams. Fun fact, I played HS ball against Buster in GA back in the day. Stud!
Those players might have been let go two seasons too late, but that’s when their contracts ended. That’s the problem for every team that signs productive players to extensions. They always have to offer more years than what they would like. Otherwise they lose them 4 years sooner than they want, and some other teams watches them leave two seasons too late..
In a perfect world teams can get guys to sign deals that end with end of the best production. Unfortunately teams can’t, but I don’t blame players for getting as much as they can before they retire.
I do like your handle. The slow curve was my only halfway decent pitch. I envy you getting to play against Buster. What a great memory.
JM
“Those players might have been let go two seasons too late, but that’s when their contracts ended. That’s the problem for every team that signs productive players to extensions. They always have to offer more years than what they would like. Otherwise they lose them 4 years sooner than they want, and some other teams watches them leave two seasons too late..”
Not true. A 7 year deal and a 3 year deal can be structured to have the exact same present value
The team could offer a 7 year $140 million contact paid out equally. That has a present value of $123 million.
Or, they could offer a 3 year $129 million contract which has the same value.
It’s the TEAMS that prefer longer contracts (given equivalent present value).
“It’s the TEAMS that prefer longer contracts (given equivalent present value).”
That’s not true. Teams only like more years in contracts with mega-salaries. When a team is paying $300M to sign a guy, they’ll add years to lessen the CBT hit.
And your example is unrealistic. No player would sign for 4 years less for an increase in AAV of only $3M. Plus most are at an age when they hit free-agency, that they don’t want to go back on the market when they’re like 35. They want a deal to take them into their late 30s..
Teams would much prefer a 3 year deal with a higher AAV, where players want the security and would rather sign for more years even though the AAV is less.
It’s been shown over and over again that players like the security of more years. The reason Snell, and the other FAs haven’t signed is because teams are balking at the years being asked for.
And as shown in the Correa offers, neither the Giants, nor the Mets, were willing to go long term, and he was forced to accept a team-friendly, short-term, high-AAV, deal.
JM
“That’s not true. ”
Of course it’s true.
“No player would sign for 4 years less for an increase in AAV of only $3M”
That wasn’t an AAV.
“It’s been shown over and over again that players like the security of more years.”
You must have missed, or not understood (likely given that you thought I was talking about AAV earlier) that I said given the same present value. Of course people would like to learn the same amount of money in less time.
“The reason Snell, and the other FAs haven’t signed is because teams are balking at the years being asked for.”
Nope. The reason they haven’t signed yet is that they haven’t been offered enough total money.
Given the new information you have about the AAV vs TV. You think Snell wouldn’t sign for 3/$129 and would hold out for 7/$140?
It’s money, not years
“That wasn’t an AAV.”
“…7 year $140 million contact paid out equally. That has a present value of $123 million.
Or, they could offer a 3 year $129 million…”
You were talking value, but ignoring AAV. The difference between those two still comes down to a difference of $3M in AAV. If a player is worth the 7 year deal he isn’t going to take that 3 year deal as an alternative for an increase of only $3M in AAV. You’ve found equal value between two deals that aren’t comparable in reality.
JM
“The difference between those two still comes down to a difference of $3M in AAV. ”
What?
A 7 year $140 million contract would have a ($140/7) $20 million AAV
A 3 year $129 million contract would have a ($139/3).$43 million AAV.
That’s a ($43-$23) $23 million difference in AAV. Which is much different than a $3 million difference
You seem to not be understanding basic mathematics
You’re right, I do understand basic math, but made, what’s now an obvious mistake.
That said, I stand by my belief that teams only want more years when it reduces the CBT hit on mega-deals. Otherwise they want the flexibility that shorter deals offer, And platers in general prefer the security of longer deals.
“contributed off the bench before he was traded to CLE for Eddie Rosario”…and the word contributed is used very loosely there
He helped the team chef choose what food to cook each day?
He is still around? Woah!
Third time is the charm.
LET PABLO PITCH!
I remember him Pitching, he had a good sinker!
Good for him, he definitely can show off the Bling!
Y’all clearly missed the beltloop debacle from the Red Sox spring training. What’s the O/U on the 268?
Depends on if he still packs a fat lip full of bacon grease.
But, I’ll say 275. If he lost weight it wasn’t due to workouts so if he’s less he’s weaker.
BeeCarbo, I doubt anyone missed that. There was a certain notoriety to it, and It was reported widely, I think we all saw the pictures. That said, in Sandoval’s first stint with the Giants, there was a weight regime clause in his contract. The Sox foolishly omitted that from their deal with him.
Under. Just saw a pic. I’d say 230.
I hope he makes it on merits so he can go out doing well… With that said, I hope he’s living in reality.
I seriously thought this guy was like 45 years old by now.
Are they paying Sloth in baby ruths?
Terrible post. We all know it’s Rocky Road.
The odds are certainly against him, but I wish him nothing but the best wether he makes the team or calls it a career. The man has 3 World Series rings, a WS MVP and owns a line of .338/.386/.535 with a .921 OPS in 42 playoff games. Nothing but respect for Sandoval. He’s made well over $100 million in his career so he clearly loves the game if he’s still trying to play at this point.
Actually 4 rings. How many can say they have four WS rings? Not that he really earned the last one, but still, welcome back, Panda!
Someone was telling me the Braves gave him a ring but I wasn’t 100% sure
Welcome back Panda. You will provide veteran leadership to the youngsters. Def can’t do any worse than some of the dumpster dives Zaidi has brought in
Leadership? How? Eat like a pig and be lazy?
Did you say Pig? Better watch out the panda is coming over for dinner
This guy was so bad on the Red Sox. Probably one of the worst deals we made, up there with Rusney Castillo, though I personally hated this one more.
I don’t entirely blame the Sox management staff for not making big deals because so many of the past ones have been screwed up, namely the Sandoval one. Notice I said “entirely.”
Anyway, I wish the guy the best, but as a Sox fan I really don’t have a lot to admire about him.
He mainly left the giants because they were wanting to put him on an eating regimen, even offered him the same contract. The Sox didn’t feel the need to do so
Any at bat he gets over literally anyone is a waste of time.
Sandoval must be serving as motivation for other players fighting for a roster spot in ST. Coaches only need to say, “Are you gonna let THIS guy beat you out? This guy?”
Nah. The message is this is how we treat our champions. Go get yourself some of it.
Then bring him on as an advisor or a coach. Guy can’t play anymore.
Best laugh I’ve had today. PANDA POWER!
The only viable way Panda gets a single spring training at bat is if he lost 50 pounds or more. If he gets into impeccable shape he could at least have one last shot in a sport he would probably play for free.
It’s all in fun for ST, let him and the club have some fun for March
Sad
Must have spent all his money.
Ya. And chimichangas dipped in chocolate DO NOT pay for themselves
Very odd. Minor league & so doesn’t cost much. Weird PR move though
Not when you have a pallet of Panda Hats to sell off.
He’s only 37? Is that right?
Anyone knows what’s going on with Soler’s physical? It was supposed to be yesterday.
Hi sf fan, Soler posted on Instagram with his family all celebrating and wearing Giants gear so I think he passed his physical but maybe Zaidi is waiting on a 40 man move beforehand?
Susan Slusser said that his physical was today (Saturday) and she expected the announcement Sunday or Monday
As long as he’s under 400lbs. Got everything goin 4em, ain’t played in 2yrs n is 38. U knew he’d be back in league was just question of how long it took engineering science to create indestructible belt buckle. Think it was NASA.
Panda came to eat what Joc left behind.
I don’t get all the support for signing this tub of lard. As with Bartolo Colon, some of you people seem to love fatties.
Might have something to do with 3 rings as a Giant, a world series MVP and a 3 homer effort in a WS Game 1. Lots of non physical attributes to love there.
All vestiges of a bygone era.
Of course. But when it comes to rings, you got to remember those that got you them. Showing respect and appreciation down the line can only be a good thing.
Love the way the Giants have treated Sandoval. Took his parting diss on the chin and kept welcoming him back. Classy.
Seriously. Their talent team only has one number?
Loving the hate from all the former juco studs who were humping sheetrock up three flights while Sandoval was winning the World Series.
Panda made you look stupid so many times that he’s got nothing left to prove, and I hope he does it again.
Why even bother?
I understand that the Giants is where Pablo started. Come on though… Pablo is washed up, lazy, and overweight. He did have a good first stint with the Giants. His second stint was mediocre. The Red Sox ate a boat load of money they gave him for nothing (Being overweight and getting benched). I don’t even know if he did anything worth a darn with the Braves. I guess whatever floats the Giants boat.
Panda running down to first base is like a month on Jenny Craig for the rest of us.
Interesting
While he won’t make the roster, I think the Giants wanted to bring him in to provide leadership for the younger players on how to eat healthy and be in top shape every season.
sounds like a lot of fun! what I really would like to know is why hasn’t the Jorge Soler deal become official?
Pablo has three WS rings, a WS MVP, and has made over $100M in his career, and we have petty children in here mocking him…
On line warriors in mom’s basement.
Actually he has four WS rings, as he received one from the Braves.
Agreed. It’s beyond childish. Those people should be ashamed of themselves.
soon to be 38 out of MLB since 2021 when he hit under .200
Its ceremonial that is all its going to be, a spot wasted that could be to a younger player.
I would think if they want someone around for spanish players to relate to and coach then its a good idea – he was a gem back in the day
Not a chance they waste a spot. This is just an invite to Spring Training on the off chance he’s got something left in the rather bulbous tank. The odds of him making the team are next to zero, but he can mentor Schmitt, Matos, Luciano, and some of the other kids while he’s there, and probably parlay that into some type of gig with the club.
Maybe they have a lot of perishable food in the Spring Training cafeteria that’s about to expire and they wanted to bring someone in who can eat it up before it spoils.
The Dodgers purchased someone who will help them win every World Series for the next 10 years. The Giants signed a guy who helped them win a World Series 10 years ago. MLB is so balanced. What a fair sport.
here are some fun numbers. Soler’s strikeout rate, exit velocity avg and hard hit rate are within .5 to 2% of ohtani. Look it up. 3 yrs/$42 mill. 10 years/$450 mill. After you verify those stats, Google the definition if “value”. Also Google the expression nonroster invitee. Then compare what they’re doing inviting a nonroster player to your foolish mention of ohtani as a comparison. Then calculate the difference between $450 million and $42 million. Time saver: $402 million. Btw, ZERO = WS won with ohtani on players report day 2024.
calculate how many times Soler will be pitched around cause no one else can smack it downtown
This is the dumb stuff that cost GM’s there jobs. He’s been garbage for over 10yrs!
Why is it a bad idea? There’s nothing to lose. It’s going to cost them very little to have him in camp.
He always killed the Phillies. If he plays one game this yr it will probably be against them and he’ll look like a monster.
Yeah why not?! He’s always played well here.
He came back over in 2017 and he hit a homer on the last game of the season to give us a useless win… But it gave us a little better record than the Tigers so they got the number one draft pick in 2018 and we got number two
This is one of those “Those big free agent deals we were going to land…. oh hey! It’s that fan favorite guy you all remember, let’s go talk about him.”
Snellinger is still looming.
Just try some patience.
I won’t even be surprised.
It’s gonna happen !
Did the Giants have to pay Dreamworks a percentage of the profit from Panda hat sales? They must have made a killing. Barry Zito found a way to make up for his contract with that nickname.
He won’t hit more than a 20 piece bucket at Kentucky fried chicken