The former All-Star third baseman and MVP of the World Series, Pablo Sandoval, was invited to be part of San Francisco Giants outside roster during the Spring Training, according to Alex Pavlovic from the NBC Sports Bay Area.
This movement doesn’t seem like a tribute. Apparently, Sandoval feels in great shape and has the intention to return to the MLB.
Sandoval hasn’t played in the MLB since 2021 where he played 69 games with the Atlanta Braves where he played most of the time as a pinch hitter. He was sent to the Cleveland Guardians where he didn’t play a single game.
He spent the 2022 season in Mexico where he didn’t play. However he participated some minutes in the Baseball United League
While he could provide the San Francisco Giants with additional depth as a switch-hitting corner infielder and a designated hitter option, his chances of making the Opening Day roster are likely high.
Wilmer Flores and LaMonte Wade Jr. are likely to split time at first base, while Flores, J.D. Davis (who can also play first), and David Villar are already competing for time at third. His other competition includes switch-hitting corner infielder Cooper Hummel, as well as Yoshi Tsutsugo, another non-roster veteran invitee.
Pablo Sandoval is one of the most popular players in the franchise since the dynastic decade of the 2010s. He was the starting third baseman for all three of San Francisco’s championship-winning clubs and posted a .794 OPS with 135 home runs in 1,149 games over two separate stints with the Giants. He was named the World Series Most Valuable Player in 2012 after batting .500 during the team’s sweep over Detroit.
His fortunes took a sharp downturn after he signed a five-year contract with the Boston Red Sox in 2015. Boston released him midway through the third year of the contract amid declining production and increasing controversies, after which he quickly returned to San Francisco for his second stint.
The nicknamed “Panda” said he lost over 100 pounds in weight, and thanks to the motivation from his family, he intends to make a comeback to the big leagues.
