Giants GM refutes reports of interest in Sandoval
The San Francisco Giants reported interest in a reunion with third baseman Pablo Sandoval appears to be nothing but hearsay.
It was reported earlier Saturday that the Giants have considered trading for the 30-year-old Boston Red Sox infielder, also known as "Kung-Fu Panda," which Giants general manager Bobby Evans has since claimed isn't the case.
"I am not aware of any consideration of a reunion," Evans told MLB.com's Chris Haft on Saturday, "but we'll never forget all that he meant to the Giants organization."
The Giants, expected to use Eduardo Nunez at third base next season, received just a .713 OPS from their third baseman last year, .077 lower than Sandoval's career mark.
Sandoval spent the first seven years of his career in the Bay Area with the Giants before signing a five-year, $90-million contract with the Red Sox in November 2014.
After a promising career in San Francisco, which featured two All-Star appearances and MVP consideration in 2009 and 2011, Sandoval has been a disaster in Beantown.
He's posted a meager .242/.290/.361 slash line with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs through his first two seasons, has had his weight questioned, and missed the majority of 2016 after undergoing left shoulder surgery.
Despite his struggles, Sandoval is expected to compete for the starting third base job with the Red Sox in spring training.