Door open in S.F. for Sandoval to stay
Panda says he’s feeling great, and GM sees him getting ‘every opportunity’ to return
MIAMI — These final weeks for the woeful Giants are about finishing strong, staying healthy and, most important, making roster analysis for next season and beyond.
One assumption taken from the 2-4 trip that concluded with Wednesday’s 8-1 loss to the Marlins is this: Pablo Sandoval isn’t a stopgap.
The third baseman isn’t around just to fill a vacancy. Picturing Sandoval as the Opening Day third baseman in 2018 is realistic, so long as he doesn’t trip over himself in the final month and a half.
“There’s a reason we have a contract that we have,” general manager Bobby Evans said. “We’d like to give him every opportunity to stick with us.”
“He loves to play. He plays hard. He wants to win. He’s playing a solid third base. He finds a way to get a big hit when needed. He finds a way to get things started.” Bobby Evans, Giants’ general manager, on Pablo Sandoval
Sandoval’s contract includes club options for 2018 and 2019, so if he’s in San Francisco next season, the Giants are on the hook only for the minimum as Boston continues to pay off the rest of its $95 million commitment.
That’s significant if only because the Giants would get an everyday guy on the cheap as they reshape their roster and manage their payroll. That is, if Sandoval is good enough to be an everyday guy.
He singled in three at-bats Wednesday, contributing to the Giants’ only run, and drew his first walk since his return. He hasn’t gotten on a hot streak, batting only .222 with one homer and one RBI, but he has hit safely in eight of his 10 games.
Sandoval was the lone Giant to start all six games on the trip, and that happened only because he talked himself into Wednesday’s lineup. Manager Bruce Bochy asked him after Tuesday night’s game about resting in the finale, and Sandoval was animated with his objection.
He went as far as saying he’s not here for a vacation.
“I feel great. My body feels great,” Sandoval said. “I’ve rested so many times already. I don’t want to do that. I want to continue to play. Try to do everything I can. I feel great. When you feel great, you want to keep playing.”
What does the GM see in Sandoval?
“He comes to compete,” Evans said. “He loves to play. He plays hard. He wants to win. He’s playing a solid third base. He finds a way to get a big hit when needed. He finds a way to get things started.”
Christian Arroyo once was the third baseman of the future, and he still may be. But his wrist injuries detoured his road back to the big leagues, and it would be tough to count on him on an everyday basis until he gets more big-league reps.
Another third baseman, Ryder Jones, has been playing first base with Brandon Belt dealing with his latest concussion. “It takes a lot of pressure off Arroyo and Ryder,” Evans said of Sandoval’s presence. “Both are capable of playing other places. It doesn’t force them into a role that maybe they’re not ready for. Again, we’re missing Arroyo getting critical at-bats right now, but we’re getting a chance to see Ryder, and that’s important.”
Bochy has spoken about the need for energy and a presence that Sandoval can provide, on and off the field. Indeed, the clubhouse is a bit louder these days. He sings, he dances, he converses, he has fun.
At least on that front, it’s a far cry from Boston.
“He’s got a second chance,” said Sandoval’s agent, Rick Thurman, who was at the Miami series and also represents Hunter Pence (and Tim Lincecum). “He’s happy to be home. He’s beaming.”
The jury is still out on whether teammates and fans will fully embrace Sandoval again, but Bochy likes that Sandoval is an aggressive hitter, and his right-handed swings — the numbers have been ugly — have been better lately.
Asked about remaining a Giant next year, Sandoval said, “Man, it’s not my decision. I want to finish this year first. I just want to continue playing and have fun finishing strong. I made my decision to come here. I made a mistake the first time. I don’t want to make another mistake.”