What to do about the Sandoval problem

Is it time for the Giants to put the hammer down on Pablo Sandoval?

Here’s a bigger question: Do the Giants have a hammer?

Sandoval was overweight when he broke his hand, and apparently has gained weight during his recovery. Also, he has been doing some partying, and is under investigation for alleged sexual assault.

The Giants have tended to let Pablo be Pablo. When his undisciplined swinging habits (at bat) clearly worked against him, batting coaches were instructed to leave Sandoval alone.

When Sandoval hurt the Giants in ’10 by eating himself out of a regular job, the team kind of cracked down that offseason and scared him into losing some weight. The scare seems to have dissipated.

The Giants recently signed Sandoval to a three-year contract. If there were no weight and behavior clauses in that contract, shame on the Giants. Regardless, they need to make good on their threat to keep Sandoval in the minors until he’s in shape, physically.

In assessing Sandoval’s weight, I hope the Giants use scales. Sometimes, it seems as if they simply eyeball him, and I suspect that he fools ’em by wearing bigger and bigger unies.

As for fans and media, do we have the right to pry into Pablo’s business, express opinions about his weight and his off-field maturity? Hell yeah.

You fans, your love for this man, your appreciation for the spirit and joy he brings to the game, made him a cult figure, and he certainly enjoys that status.

The Giants and Sandoval can’t have it both ways. If they want your love, and they court it and profit from it, they doggone well better accept your concern, criticism and scrutiny.

Meanwhile, that off-field stuff hangs heavy. Sandoval has not been charged, and when he returns to the Giants, fans will show their support. That’s fine, but I like the rule suggested by reader Cole Hemmes: As long as Sandoval is under investigation for an alleged sex crime, no Panda hats.