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Bochy: ‘I haven’t talked to Pablo’

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“Panda Watch” has hit day seven, folks.

A week after former Giants’ third baseman Pablo Sandoval was designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox, the Panda has cleared waivers and is now free to sign with any Major League team.

And on Wednesday, a report from Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com indicated that Sandoval expected to sign with the Giants when he cleared waivers on Friday. However, on Friday afternoon, Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy said that he has yet to discuss a Sandoval signing with general manager Bobby Evans, and isn’t sure if or when the three-time World Series champion will arrive in San Francisco.

“Nope, I haven’t heard anything and I’m being honest,” Bochy said. “I haven’t talked to Bobby (Evans) today so I haven’t heard anything. I can’t say I’m expecting him here.”

Before Bochy met with the media on Friday, Sandoval was spotted in an airport, apparently boarding a plane headed for San Francisco. Sanchez reported that Sandoval planned to agree to a Minor League contract with the Giants, but he would still need to pass a physical and could make an appearance at the ballpark within the next day.

Nevertheless, if the Giants do plan on signing Sandoval, no one has told Bochy of the team’s plans, of his whereabouts, or given him a timetable for Sandoval’s arrival.

“No, I really can’t,” Bochy said when asked if he could provide any update whatsoever. “I’m being honest, I can’t. I haven’t talked to Bobby Evans who is our general manager, he’s the one that would take about that. But no, I haven’t talked to Pablo, I haven’t talked to Bobby about Pablo, so I don’t know where we’re at right now and until I hear further I really can’t say anything.”

Sandoval was designated for assignment by Boston in the third year of a five-year, $95 million contract. The Red Sox still owe Sandoval the remainder of his deal, which totals roughly $47 million, so the signing is a potential low-risk, high-reward situation for San Francisco.

Sandoval’s exit from the Giants following the 2014 season was described by Giants’ CEO Larry Baer as “messy” on KNBR on Thursday evening, but Baer said if Bochy and the team’s core felt Sandoval would be a good addition to the clubhouse, then San Francisco would be willing to pursue him.

The 30-year-old infielder missed the entire 2016 season and has only played in 32 games this season, but perhaps a change of scenery will help Sandoval rediscover some of the talent that made him such a feared hitter during his career with the Giants.