Former Braves Bench Bat Returns to MLB With San Francisco Giants

Originally posted on FanNation Braves Today
By Lindsay Crosby | Last updated 2/18/24

The Atlanta Braves sometimes get contributions from the most unlikely of places.

After losing star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr in the 2021 season to a torn ACL, Atlanta needed outfield reinforcements, and fast.

Among the trades they made was sending former San Francisco Giants infielder Pablo Sandoval, who hit four homers off of Atlanta's bench as a pinch hitter that season, to the then-Cleveland Indians for outfielder Eddie Rosario.

Rosario went on to bat .271 with seven homers down the stretch for Atlanta, parlying his NLCS MVP award into a multi-year deal to return in left field, while Sandoval was released the same day by Cleveland and never played in MLB again. (He DID get a World Series ring from Atlanta, though.)

But Pablo might get one more shot.

After playing for teams in Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Dubai, including hitting baseball's first ever six-run homer, a newly-slimmed down Sandoval is back in Giants camp as a non-roster invitee at the age of 37.

Pablo Sandoval just hit the first ever six-run home run

It was a "moneyball at bat" so the runs counted as double pic.twitter.com/5ST2PUJdPz
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) November 25, 2023

Sandoval is a beloved figure in San Francisco, having won three World Series rings and making two All-Star teams in his first tenure with the club, from 2008-2014. Hitting 106 homers and finishing in 7th place in NL MVP voting in 2009, "Kung Fu Panda" signed a big free agent contract with Boston after winning the 2014 World Series but was released three years into a five-year pact.

The power's always been there, but it's uncertain what role he'd fulfill in San Francisco. their signing of Jorge Soler probably means he's the primary designated hitter, and with Sandoval never having been a great defender, it's hard to see what role he'd play for the Giants.

However, he's always been a popular figure with both his teammates and the fans, and it's great that he's getting one last opportunity with the team where he put up his best stretch of his career, similar to reliever Sergio Romo's attempt at a comeback with the Giants before retiring last season.

And of course, we'll also have Pandamonium.Important Braves Today Offseason Stories

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This article first appeared on FanNation Braves Today and was syndicated with permission.

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