Report: Pablo Sandoval to reunite with the Giants on a minor league deal

Pablo Sandoval is returning to the San Francisco Giants, where he won three World Series championships and became hero in the Bay Area, according to multiple reports.

Sandoval, who was officially released by the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, is expected to sign a minor league deal with the Giants on Friday, pending a physical. Though he can't sign with another team until he officially becomes a free agent on Friday.

"I'm waiting for Friday to make a decision, and the Giants are one of my options," Sandoval told ESPN's Marly Rivera in a text. "I have a few teams interested but I can't make a decision until Friday."

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After his postseason heroics and being named the 2014 World Series MVP, Sandoval opted to test the free agent market and signed a lucrative five-year, $95 million contract with the Red Sox. 

His time in Boston was marred by injury, poor performance and conditioning. During his three-year tenure, he played in just 161 games, batted .237 with 14 home runs, 59 RBI and a -2.0 WAR. 

The Red Sox decided to designate him for assignment on Friday and are on the hook for about $49 million remaining in the deal.

For Sandoval, who had been with the Giants franchise ever since turning pro at 16, returning to the Giants could be what the jovial third baseman needs to return to All-Star form. He was popular, earning the nickname Kung Fu Panda, and a productive player during his seven seasons with the Giants. He batted .294 with 106 home runs, 462 RBI and accumulated a 20.8 WAR.