Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Giants fans, here’s your panda-shaped bone.
In a season that will not be greeted with high expectations, the Giants are bringing back one attraction. Pablo Sandoval and the Giants agreed on a deal Wednesday that will mark the lovable infielder’s 11th season in total in San Francisco. According to MLB Network, the minor league pact is for $2 million and includes incentives.
The 33-year-old is coming off Tommy John surgery that brings into question how soon he’ll be able to throw across the diamond. The Giants must feel comfortable with his rehab, and they have sought a flexible lefty infield bat throughout this offseason. They brought in Yolmer Sanchez on Tuesday, and both are switch-hitting infielders with resumes who can help push competition in camp.
The Mets and Phillies reportedly checked in on Sandoval, too, but he will be returning to a second home that he did not love leaving the first go-round, when he bombed in Boston. He returned to the Giants in 2017 and enjoyed a comeback season last year, when he was a rare bright spot in slashing .268/.313/.507 before September surgery.
The Giants, who surely want to sell some tickets this season, have been interested in this reunion, Gabe Kapler visiting Sandoval in Miami earlier this offseason, when the new manager was making the rounds and visiting various Giants across the country. He must have made a good impression.
