The Panda is back! Pablo Sandoval, the rotund slugger who went from World Series MVP to trade market reject, is still riding his roller-coaster of a professional career.
The burly infielder, who hooked onto the 2021 Atlanta Braves with a sharp spring training, has signed to play ball for the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.
A switch-hitter with power, Sandoval made his major-league debut in 2008 with the San Francisco Giants, then won World Series Most Valuable Player honors four years later after hitting three home runs in the opener against Detroit. But he was a bust with the Boston Red Sox, who signed him to a five-year, $95 million contract after the 2014 season.
He hit .245 the next season, his last as an everyday player.
Betrayed by a body that suggested the second coming of Bartolo Colon, Sandoval returned to the Giants, then moved to the Braves in time for the 2020 playoffs. Invited to spring training, he joined the varsity as a pinch-hitter for $1 million a year and powered four pivotal home runs early in the season.
By the trade deadline, however, he was toast, hitting weak ground balls or striking out in most of his plate appearances. He was essentially a pinch-hitter without punch.
Acquired by Cleveland for the injured Eddie Rosario in an exchange of expiring contracts, Sandoval never played a game for Cleveland. He was given his outright release the day the deadline deal was announced.
Refusing to give up, even at the advanced athletic age of 35, Sandoval recaptured his stroke in the Venezuelan Winter League. That attracted the attention of Mexican League scouts.
Perhaps playing in his native Venezuela ignited a spark in Sandoval, who has spent parts of 14 seasons in the majors and played for three Giants teams that won world championships.
His 12-for-28 performance against the Kansas City Royals in the seven-game World Series of 2014 convinced Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington to sign him for Boston. But he drew his release while struggling during the 2017 campaign.
A fun-loving personality dubbed the Kung Fu Panda by San Francisco fans, Sandoval kept a toy panda head in the Atlanta dugout and donned it to celebrate big moments with his teammates.
Because of his girth, he couldn’t play defense at either infield corner, relegating himself to a reserve role and not getting enough at-bats to stay sharp. He hit .178 (11-for-86) with the Braves but four of those hits were early-season home runs delivered in the pinch.
The two-time All-Star twice topped 20 homers and once hit a robust .330 for the Giants. His career batting average remains .278.
A client of the Beverly Hills Sports Council, Sandoval could have signed anywhere as a free agent since he is not on a 40-man roster and therefore not subject to the ongoing lockout by owners.
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