The Giants have had internal discussions about trying to strike a deal for Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval, according to Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald. It is still unconfirmed whether the two sides have spoken to each other.
According to Drellich:
“At least internally, the Giants have considered a reunion with third baseman Pablo Sandoval, a baseball source told the Herald.”
Sandoval, 30, is two years into what can only be described as a comically poor free-agent deal with the Red Sox. A contract which, if fulfilled, would see The Panda in Boston until the 2021 season when he would become an unrestricted free agent.
Just three seasons ago, Sandoval was an anchor at third base for the World Series-champion Giants, constantly coming through with timely playoff hitting and entrenching himself in fans’ hearts almost to the degree of Madison Bumgarner.
However, the moment his plane landed at Logan Airport in Boston, his productivity seemed to cease. In his first season, Sandoval put up a lowly .245/.292/.366 line and was scrutinized heavily for his defense at third base, something no one ever worried about in the Bay, despite what may have been occurring at the plate. By the beginning of 2016, Sandoval lost his starting job at third base to a guy most people had never heard of in Travis Shaw and he would never retake it, despite Shaw’s mediocre numbers at the plate (.242/.306/.421).
The question now becomes is Sandoval’s history in a Giants uniform enough to erase the very fresh memories he created in Boston? Memories such as an out-of-shape Pablo swinging and missing while his belt snaps off his pants. Or when he broke a bat out of anger in front of a bunch of New England reporters.
As the numbers currently stand, buying out Sandoval’s contract, including the option for the year 2020, would cost the Giants $58 million over the next three seasons. Bobby Evans and company would never agree to that much money, however Boston’s front office and its fans would most likely be happy to help eat a chunk of that money for the Giants to take what has been one of the worst contracts in Red Sox history, off of their hands.
So, hypothetically speaking Giants fans — who wants The Panda back in the Bay?