Pablo Sandoval is sticking with the San Francisco Giants, returning on a one-year minor-league deal reportedly worth $2 million.
According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman (who also broke the news), both the Mets and Phillies were interested in Sandoval before he elected to return to the Bay Area.
Sandoval, 33, began his major-league career as a third baseman but now can play both corner infield positions, having made 47 appearances at first base over the past two seasons.
Obviously it doesn't make much of a difference now that he's back with the Giants, but Sandoval getting some time at third base would allow the Mets to move Jeff McNeil (who's likely to be the everyday third baseman in 2020) to other defensive positions if necessary, and he also could have given Pete Alonso a spell at first base every now and then.
A two-time All-Star, Sandoval has spent 9.5 of his 12 big-league seasons with the Giants, with his two stints sandwiching a three-year period in Boston. For his career, the switch-hitter has slashed .280/.332/ .448
