BOSTON — The Panda’s going back to his old habitat.
Pablo Sandoval is poised to join the team the Red Sox signed him away from prior to the 2015 season, the San Francisco Giants, per reports. Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com wrote that Sandoval is finalizing a minor-league deal and would report to the team’s Triple-A club. Sandoval was put on release waivers by the the Red Sox on Wednesday and would clear those waivers on Friday, so don't expect an official announcement before then.
Sandoval’s time with the Red Sox was up on Friday, when the team designated him for assignment. Sandoval informed the Sox on Thursday that he would not accept a minor league assignment inside the organization.
Immediately, speculation began that the Giants — who are presumably signing him for the minimum — would take a stab at Sandoval. San Francisco is the only other organization Sandoval has played for, and seemed to have a better handle than the Red Sox did on Sandoval’s weight issues.
Sandoval didn’t leave San Francisco for Boston under the best of terms, making some comments on his way out that he wouldn’t miss many people besides manager Bruce Bochy. Bochy is still there, and it seems the past might be forgiven.
Per Baseball-Reference.com's measurement of wins above replacement, the Giants have had the worst production at third base in the majors this season, -2.3 WAR. The Phillies are second with nearly an identical figure, with the Red Sox third, at -1.6.