December 22, 2024

Veteran third baseman Pablo Sandoval agreed to a minor-league contract for $750m with the San Francisco Giants on Monday that includes an invitation to Spring Training amid the 37-year-old’s hopeful return to MLB.

The invitation isn’t merely intended to give the longtime Giant a farewell, as they did for Sergio Romo in 2023, according to Pavlovic. After spending a few years out of the league, Sandoval is hoping to return.

“Sandoval has been telling friends that he feels great and is trying to make a comeback at the age of 37,” Pavlovic stated.

Sandoval hasn’t played in the major leagues since 2021 when he played 69 games for the Atlanta Braves, hitting .178 and notching 13 hits and four home runs.

Since his major league exit in 2021, Sandoval has played for two different organizations in Mexico and he spent part of last fall playing in a league in Dubai. It’s not clear whether Sandoval still has what it takes to contribute to the Giants, but he has at least stayed in baseball shape while away from the majors.

Sandoval had two stints in San Francisco—the first coming from 2008 to 2014 and the second coming from 2017 to 2020. He helped San Francisco win three World Series in his first stint, taking home the championship in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

During his 16-year MLB tenure, Sandoval amassed 1,279 hits, 639 RBI, and 153 home runs with a career.278 average.

Despite his previous association with the team, Sandoval’s return to the Giants may be a reach. With Sandoval playing first base in 2020 and San Francisco seemingly set at third base, the Giants will probably be trying to recruit a left-handed first baseman rather than another righty.

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