There was a time when Pablo Sandoval was a budding star for the San Francisco Giants.
He was a two time All Star and a three time World Series champion, a surprisingly solid third baseman despite a body type that could best be described as spherical. That body type made him a beloved character in San Francisco while his production ensured that he would not lose that distinction.
Former San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval hoping to resurrect career
Those days are long in the past. Sandoval has seen his star fade considerably since leaving the Giants after the 2014 season, struggling almost immediately once he left the Bay Area. While he had a pair of solid seasons in 2018 and 2019 once he returned, he just was not the same.
But he is not giving up on a return to the majors. According to Edwin Hernandez Jr., Sandoval is heading to Puerto Rico to play for the Cangrejeros of Santurce this offseason.
Although he was unable to find a spot in affiliated ball in 2022, Sandoval did continue playing. He spent the season in Mexico, posting a .282/.361/.421 batting line with ten homers in his 288 plate appearances between Moncolva and Tabasco. While those numbers may look solid, the Mexican League had an average .304/.380/.488 batting line, leaving Sandoval approximately ten percent below league average.
But there is always a chance that he can impress a team into giving him an opportunity. A strong showing in Puerto Rico could lead to a minor league contract, giving Sandoval a chance to earn a spot on the roster. As he can play either corner infield position and was still hitting the ball relatively hard while drawing walks in his last stint in the majors, there is a chance that he could end up being a relative bargain.
Former San Francisco Giants third baseman is looking to keep playing. He is reportedly heading to Puerto Rico, having signed with the Cangrejeros of Santurce.