The Boston Red Sox are paying Pablo Sandoval not to play for them.
After designating Sandoval for assignment on July 14, the Red Sox decided that the nearly $48 million remaining on Sandoval’s contract would be a sunk cost, and they would move in a different direction at third base.
With Sandoval free to sign with any Major League team, he chose to return to the San Francisco Giants, the club he spent the first seven seasons of his career with. The Giants signed Sandoval to a Minor League contract on Saturday morning, bringing back a three-time World Series champion and a player who fans affectionately referred to as “The Panda” throughout his career in San Francisco.
“I did meet with Pablo,” Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy said. “I talked to him a little bit and he looks good. His conditioning is where you would like it. It’s evident he’s been working hard to stay in good shape but that’s good news as we start playing Pablo.”
Because Sandoval is still being paid by the Red Sox, the Giants essentially have an opportunity to take a look at him in their Minor League system without having to pay him more than a minimum salary.
“Well it’s pretty much, I think you look at it as a free look at a player who’s done some good things in this game,” Bochy said. “Has some talent to hit a baseball and you know, he got off with his game there in Boston and it happens and sometimes a change of scenery can get a player back to being a player that he is and he was pretty good here. Like I said, how’s this to take a look where he’s at and make a call to see whether he can help us here or not.”
Though Sandoval was beloved during his tenure with the Giants, he drew sharp criticism after signing a five-year, $95 million contract with the Red Sox after the 2014 season due to comments he made about his former teammates. On Saturday, Sandoval described the comments as a “miscommunication,” and said he was excited to return to a team on which he enjoyed the greatest heights of his career.
After dropping an 11-inning contest on Friday night to fall to 37-61 on the season, the Giants view Sandoval’s signing as a win-win situation. Because San Francisco and Sandoval have both suffered through a miserable year, perhaps a reunion will help both sides.
“No, we’re looking for anybody that can help us win ballgames,” Bochy said. “We’ve had a rough year this year and like I said, this is pretty much a free look at a player who’s done some good things here and if he can help us get on track, that’s a good thing.”
The Giants don’t have an opening at the Major League level at third base right now, but that could change in the coming week. Eduardo Nunez is the Giants’ starting third baseman and also viewed as the team’s top trade chip, and if Nunez is dealt near the trade deadline, San Francisco could use Sandoval’s services for the remainder of the season.
Bochy said Saturday that Sandoval would head to A San Jose to serve as the team’s designated hitter until Tuesday, when he will join the Giants’ AAA affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats.
“He’ll start playing in San Jose and DH tonight and head down there and he’ll stay there until Sacramento gets back from Tacoma and then he’ll go there and start playing some third base and DH’ing,” Bochy said. “We’ll see where he’s at, what we have, we know a lot about Pablo, but right now he hasn’t played since July 9 so he’s had some time off. We need to see where he’s at physically, his timing with the bat, so we’ll get a good look at Pablo.”
Bochy said the Giants hope to give Sandoval 40-to-50 at-bats in the Minor Leagues before making a call about whether he can help the team in the Majors.
