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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The pandas are back.
The Giants plan to bring three-time World Series champion Pablo Sandoval to camp as a non-roster invitee this spring, according to Alex Pavlovich of NBC Sports Bay Area. The club has not confirmed this report.
Sandoval, 37, hasn’t played in the majors since 2021, but he played briefly in the newly formed Baseball United League in Dubai last fall and has also played in the Mexican League and Puerto Rico’s Winter League in recent years. .
A two-time All-Star and 2012 World Series MVP, Sandoval spent his first seven seasons in San Francisco, becoming a fan favorite thanks to his infectious energy and consistent performance at the plate. He hit three home runs in Game 1 of the 2012 Fall Classic, including two off three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander, and his final RBI in the World Series two years later. is famous.
Sandoval left the Giants before the 2015 season and signed a five-year, $95 million contract with the Red Sox, but his performance fell significantly and he was eventually released midway through the 2017 season. Despite crossing several bridges on his way out of San Francisco, Sandoval ultimately re-signed with the Giants a few days later and emerged as a valuable bench piece for the club, making relief appearances in 2018 and 2019. Recorded.
The switch-hitting infielder returned to the Giants on a minor league contract in January 2020, but was released in September after batting .220 with a .546 OPS and one home run in 33 games. He then improved with the Braves, hitting .178 with a .645 OPS and four home runs in 69 games as a backup in 2021.
The Giants brought Sergio Romo into camp on a minor league contract last spring, but Romo has made it clear he plans to play in one final exhibition with the club before officially retiring. Sandoval appears to have a bigger return in mind, but it’s unclear how he will fit into the Giants’ roster.
LaMonte Wade Jr. and Wilmer Flores are expected to play first base this year, and the Giants already have multiple options at third base, including J.D. Davis, Casey Schmidt and David Villar. Jorge Soler, who was scheduled to undergo a physical at Scottsdale Stadium on Saturday, also agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract this week and is expected to be used as the team’s primary designated hitter.
Still, the Giants don’t have many left-handed options at first base other than Wade, so Sandoval could find himself in the infield conversation if he shows he has something left this spring.
Lopez arrives
Sandoval likely won’t be on the Giants’ roster, but new utility man Otto Lopez, acquired from the Blue Jays on Tuesday in exchange for cash, is expected to be firmly on the roster.
Lopez, 25, batted .258 with a .656 OPS and two home runs in 84 games with Triple-A Buffalo in 2023, but was 6-for-10 with three RBIs in 11 at-bats in the major leagues, and Marco – He could help build a layer next to Luciano. He’s a shortstop. Lopez played with Luciano in the Dominican Winter League last offseason and said he is a fan of the Giants’ No. 2 prospect and No. 39 overall player, according to MLB Pipeline.
“I love Luciano,” Lopez said. “He’s a great guy.”
Lopez played every position in the Minors except pitcher and catcher, with the majority of his games played in the middle infield. He was born in the Dominican Republic, grew up in Montreal, and in addition to his native Spanish, he also learned French and English, so he is fluent in three languages.
Lopez’s ties to Canada have deepened since he signed with Toronto, where he spent the first six seasons of his pro career.
“Canada has become a part of me,” Lopez said. “That means a lot.”
In addition to his defensive versatility, Lopez has the potential to improve his speed and athleticism, two areas the Giants are prioritizing improvement this year.
“I’m pretty fast,” said Lopez, who stole 13 bases last year at Triple-A Buffalo. “I love my speed.”
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