The San Francisco Giants picked up the 2018 options for three players on Monday. The most interesting of the three was Pablo Sandoval, who shockingly returned to the team in the middle of last season after burning bridges following his exit for Boston in 2015.
Sandoval quickly became the injury-ravaged Giants’ starting third baseman by default, and showed flashes at times, even if his final line of .225/.263/.375 left something to be desired. But it was ultimately enough for the Giants’ brass to bring him back for at least one more go-around, especially since the 31-year-old is slated to make just over half-a-million dollars next season.
Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow praised the decision to bring back Sandoval when he joined Murph & Mac on Monday morning, but said he also expects the team to sign an everyday third-baseman this offseason.
“No-brainer, no-brainer at all,” Krukow said. “I mean I thought just in looking at the vibe he brought into that clubhouse just shows you how far he’s come. He’s a pro now. He’s a man, and I think if you give a guy like that an opportunity for a second chance he’s going to take advantage of it.
“I still think they are going to get a third baseman, which means Pablo would be a bench player, but he can play both sides of the infield, third base and first base, and he can give you a good effort defensively in both regards. And he’s dangerous. He’s a hack, a hack coming off the bench, a hack with pop and I think that sells. I think it will continue to be a story that we all hope that he can take advantage of.”
Listen to the full interview below. To hear Kruk’s comments on Sandoval, skip to 12:00.
