After being aggressive at the start of the offseason, everything has been quiet around the Atlanta Braves. While they have been mentioned in J.T. Realmuto rumors lately, there has been little other news coming out of Atlanta. Meanwhile, the Mets have gotten much better, putting more pressure on the Braves to do something.
On Sunday, the Braves did, in fact, do something. They signed Pablo Sandoval to a one year deal that would pay him $1 million if he makes the major league roster.
Pablo Sandoval agrees to Braves deal. $1M in majors if he makes the team. #Panda
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 24, 2021
Not the move Atlanta Braves fans hoped for
There was a time when Sandoval signing in Atlanta would have been a major deal. He was a two time All Star, a solid hitter and defensive presence at third despite looking as though he would be far more at home in a beer league softball game.
However, those days have long since passed. Although he had a brief resurgence upon his return to San Francisco, that all came apart last year. He produced a .214/.287/.262 batting line in 94 plate appearances last season, hitting just one double and one homer. That production led to his being released by San Francisco, with the Braves picking him up in time for him to appear in one regular season game.
Sandoval was also surprisingly active for Atlanta in the NLCS. He received four plate appearances in the postseason, striking out twice and being hit by a pitch. Clearly, he was not the bench hitter that the Braves had been seeking.
He can still potentially provide value. Sandoval would serve as a backup at first and third, while potentially getting some time at designated hitter should the universal DH return. As a switch hitter, he could be a useful piece late in the game. And Sandoval has been counted out before – maybe he has one more comeback left in him.
The Atlanta Braves have signed Pablo Sandoval to a one year deal. At least they have done something recently.