The San Francisco Giants were able to avoid arbitration with third baseman Pablo Sandoval, instead reaching a three-year contract extension with the 25-year-old. Sandoval’s new deal is reportedly worth $17.15 million.
Last season for the Giants, Sandoval hit at a clip of .315/.357/.552 with 23 home runs, 26 doubles and 70 RBI’s over his 466 plate appearances. Like many other Giants players, Sandoval’s season was shortened due to injury.
San Francisco hopes 2011 represents a sign of things to come for the young third baseman. Following a strong 2009 campaign (.330/.387/.556 over 633 PA’s), Sandoval struggled in 2010 to the tune of .268/.323/.409 over 616 PA’s.
The Giants feel that Sandoval has found a conditioning program that works for him, as the player known by many as Kung Fu Panda been drawing concerns regarding his weight.
Following the announcement of the extension, Giants vice president of baseball operations Bobby Evans told reporters that San Francisco feels like Sandoval “has the desire and commitment to be productive and elevate his game”. Evans noted that the Giants see Sandoval as a “big part” of their present and future.
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