Former San Francisco Giants star Pablo Sandoval heading to Mexico
Over the past few years, we have seen several aging major league stars head to Mexico to continue their careers. Former San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval is set to be the latest to take that trip south of the border.
According to reports, Sandoval will be playing in the Mexican League in 2022 as he has signed a one year deal with the Acereros de Monclova.
Former San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval heading to Mexico
There was a time when Sandoval was a burgeoning star. He was a key part of the Giants run of success in the first half of the previous decade, someone who was able to step up as the franchise won three titles in five years. Sandoval was a two time All Star when he left for Boston following the 2014 season, and at 27 years old, was just entering his prime.
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Instead, that time in Boston was a disaster. While round is a shape, his lack of conditioning was a constant topic of conversation. While he was in Boston for two and a half injury plagued and mediocre seasons, his time was most notable for a broken belt during a plate appearance.
Sandoval went back to San Francisco where he found himself again before struggling in 2020. He latched on with the Braves and served primarily as a pinch hitter in 2021, posting a .178/.302/.342 batting line in 86 plate appearances, hitting four homers. Sandoval was able to contribute to the Braves World Series run by leaving, as he was traded to Cleveland for Eddie Rosario, only to be promptly released.
His glory days are far behind him. Sandoval is going to turn 36 years old during the upcoming season, and given that he was a jollux even in his best seasons, it is hard to imagine that he will turn his career around. But stranger things have happened. This stint in Mexico, if it goes well, coupled with the inevitability of the designated hitter in the National League, could lead to a return.
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It has been a long time since Pablo Sandoval was a budding star with the San Francisco Giants. He is attempting to recapture his form in the Mexican League.