Giants pick up options on Sandoval and two starting pitchers

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SAN FRANCISCO — After the 2014 World Series, it was just about a lock that the Giants would eventually pick up Madison Bumgarner’s 2018 option. It also seemed a lock that they would never again pick up a Pablo Sandoval option year. On Monday, both things became official. 

On a conference call to introduce two coaching hires, general manager Bobby Evans confirmed that the club has picked up Bumgarner’s $12 million option, Matt Moore’s $9 million option and Sandoval’s option that will pay him the league minimum. The Red Sox, who designated Sandoval for assignment in the summer, are on the hook for the rest of that deal. 

Bumgarner is set for another opening day start and Moore is looking forward to putting a brutal 2017 season behind him, one that did not deter Evans from saying in September that he would bring the lefty back. Both those players are set for big roles, but Sandoval’s immediate future is a bit cloudier. 

Vice president of baseball operations Brian Sabean said finding an everyday third baseman is one of the focus areas of the offseason. It does not sound like Sandoval is currently in line to be that guy. He hit .225 with five homers in 160 at-bats, but showed flashes of his old self by homering off Kenley Jansen and Max Scherzer and hitting a walk-off on the final day of the season.

“We saw enough to be intrigued to bring him into camp and see how the chips fall,” Sabean said. “Having said that, if you’re going back to what the questions are and how we look at how we reconstruct, we have to have someone more prototypical or run-production oriented.”

The Sandoval situation is a simple one. He is essentially a free veteran at this point, and if he shows up in Scottsdale out of shape or doesn't perform, the Giants can cut the cord without paying any financial penalty. If he shows improvement, they could have a versatile bat for their bench. 

The Giants hoped to have more solid internal options going into the spring, but Ryder Jones had a rough rookie debut and Christian Arroyo’s injury problems continue. Arroyo’s winter ball experience was cut short because he had a new plate inserted in a hand that required season-ending surgery during the minor league season. Arroyo is expected to be ready for the start of spring training. 

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