Phillies Pursued INF Pablo Sandoval Before Deal with Giants
By Matt Rappa
The Phillies reportedly pursued a three-time World Series champion this offseason; instead, he will return to the Giants under new manager Gabe Kapler.
The Philadelphia Phillies reportedly were close to adding not only a former World Series-winning manager this offseason in Joe Girardi, but also a three-time World Series-champion infielder in Pablo Sandoval.
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On Wednesday, the 12-year veteran inked a $2 million minor-league deal to return to the San Francisco Giants, plus $750,000 in incentives, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.
Prior, however, the Phillies and their division-rival New York Mets reportedly pursued the switch-hitter before his deal with San Francisco. Instead, the “Panda” will play under new Giants and former Phillies skipper Gabe Kapler.
According to Heyman, Sandoval is “expected” to make the Giants’ major-league, 26-man roster, assuming he is OK following his September 2019 Tommy John surgery that repaired the torn UCL in his right elbow and removed loose bodies.
Since his rookie season in 2008, Sandoval has a career .280/.332/.448 slash with 261 doubles, 21 triples, 148 home runs, 622 RBI, 338 walks and 713 strikeouts across 1,277 games. Sandoval has played in parts of 10 seasons for the Giants (2008-14, 2017-19), along with in parts of three in-between with the Boston Red Sox (2015-17).
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During his 2012 World Series MVP stint, Sandoval slashed .500/.529/1.125 in the Fall Classic opposite the Detroit Tigers, with three runs cored, four singles, one double, three home runs, four RBI, one walk and two strikeouts spanning four games and 17 plate appearances.
Had the Phillies inked Sandoval, it likewise likely would have been on a minor-league pact with a spring invite. Instead, the Phillies are bringing in veteran infielders Josh Harrison, Ronald Torreyes, and Neil Walker to camp, along with prospects.
Sandoval has big-league experience playing first and third base, and even some playing catcher, second base and designed hitter. Surely, Kapler will find a way to make the most out of the beloved Giant and two-time All-Star.