Panda-Watch Update
A month ago I wrote on the loss of Pablo Sandoval, and how the Giants management over played their hand resulting in the loss of a two-time all-star and three-time world champion.
Initial Spring training reports depict a scorned Pablo Sandoval. The new Red Sox has taken shots after his former team aimed specifically at GM, Brian Sabean.
The Boston media was quick to point out the fact that Sandoval has changed his cell-phone and no longer keeps in touch with former teammates. If true, Pablo's resentment clearly not behind him.
It’s difficult to criticize the master-mind, Brian Sabean, who has architected the Giants to three championships in five years (2010, 2012, 2014) but if what Pablo says is true perhaps the Giants should allow Bobby Evans to handle all in-house negotiations in place of Sabean.
Afterall, in 2012, the Giants let Carlos Beltran walk to the St. Louis Cardinals without so much as an offer to stay (SF Gate). The Giants paid steep for Beltran's four-months of service, giving up a former first-round pick and potential pitching Ace, in Zach Wheeler.
After allowing Beltran to walk, Sabean was forced to fix a gaping hole in right-field. Right before the deadline, Sabean traded Nate Schierholtz and a bunch of high-profile prospects for Hunter Pence -- the spark plug who helped lead the Giants to a 2012 World Series championship.
The Pence move turned out great for the Giants. They signed him long-term in 2013. Around the same time Sabean also inked Angel Pagaan and Tim Lincecum to $40 million dollar contracts each; Posey and Cain were signed long-term to $100+ million dollar contracts. Apparently, in the process of those negotiations, Sabean forgot to allocate enough funds to keep Pablo in a Giant uni.
Lets face it. Rather than treat Pablo right, Sabean gambled and low-balled his agent. If Sandoval were to get injured in 2014 or if the Giants did not make post season, I strongly believe Sabean would have offered Sandoval less money and forced his hand.
Instead, Pablo balled out in the post season and led the Giants to a third championship in five years. The Giants third basemen wound up with an impressive .366 avg / .423 obp / .888 ops during the playoffs.
There seems to be a lot of merit to the complaints of Pablo Sandoval. Giant Management appeared to have botched the negotiations. Sabean tried to nickel and dime his payroll on the wrong player.
Fast forward to this Spring Training, and the Giants have won a mere six games. Bochy has publicy criticized his players. To make things worse, it doesn't look like the farm has a viable option to replace Pablo Sandoval at third base. Look for the position and batting order to be a big drain on the Giants offensively.
It's early in 2015 Pandawatch it is clearly Pablo 1, Giants 0.
