Four former SF Giants Fan Favorites available in free agency

2. Pablo Sandoval

The man needs no introduction, but we all know that Pablo Sandoval was a great Giant. While he sat on the bench for much of the 2010 playoffs, he was able to turn things around and regain his starting role at third base which resulted in a legendary three home run performance in Game 1 of the 2012 World Series against Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers.

We know about his brief and, to put it diplomatically, unsuccessful tenure in Boston, but he came back to the Giants in 2017 and became a great pinch hit weapon for the team until he was designated for assignment during the shortened 2020 season.

Last season with the Atlanta Braves he found some magic early on with some big home runs for the team but was unable to sustain that success over the course of the whole season and was eventually traded to Cleveland for Eddie Rosario before being released.

Sandoval, despite being 35, has expressed interest in coming back to play again in 2022. His age and struggles with Atlanta last year may make it difficult for him to get signed, but a team is bound to take a chance on him with a minor league contract and invite to Spring Training based on his abilities as a pinch-hitter and his championship pedigree.

There is not enough room on the Giants roster for the Panda to return to the team. They have enough infield depth as it is and they are not in need of help in the pinch-hitting department after they set an MLB record with 18 pinch hit home runs last season.

Despite this fact, Pablo is the true epitome of a Forever Giant and will forever be beloved by Giants fans for his buoyant personality and the key role he played for the team during the championship years. It will be interesting to see if he can make his way onto a big league roster next season and deliver some more magic at the end of such a great career.