Giants players respond to Sandoval returning

Yes, words were said. Yes, Pablo Sandoval seemed to have an exit strategy before, during and after the 2014 World Series parade, even when telling reporters in the green room at City Hall, “I want to wear that jersey the rest of my career.”

Yes, Sandoval was quoted after signing with Boston as saying the only Giants he’d miss were Bruce Bochy and Hunter Pence.

And, yes, the Panda is close to becoming a Giant again.

“If you can help the team win, that’s what this is about,” catcher Buster Posey said. “It doesn’t really matter what’s been said in the past if you can contribute and help the team win, whether it’s Pablo or somebody else. That’s what it’s about.”

Photo: Jeff Roberson, Associated Press San Francisco Giants' Pablo Sandoval celebrates after catching the...

It was an odd vibe hours before Madison Bumgarner’s first pitch Thursday night as players were asked to respond to the news about an old teammate who bolted the Giants, became a $95 million bust in Boston and is on the verge of returning to San Francisco.

Sandoval reportedly will sign a minor-league contract once he clears waivers Friday and becomes a free agent. The plan would be to report to Triple-A Sacramento. If he returns to the majors, the Giants would pay only the prorated portion of the minimum salary with the Red Sox picking up the rest.

“I hope he comes and rakes and we win the World Series,” first baseman Brandon Belt said. “That is not a lie.”

Some answers were guarded, others weren’t. Pence seemed the most pumped about a Sandoval return.

“I think it’s exciting,” the right fielder said. “He’s done so many amazing things here. He’s always been one of those personalities that fits in with the Giants and the Bay Area. I’ve always enjoyed Pablo. I’m very grateful for the time we played together and the wonderful things he’s done in clutch situations. I enjoyed his playful, creative spirit.”

The Sandoval news broke the same week the Giants announced the official end of their sellout streak. This could partly be a marketing decision. This could be a goodwill gesture. This could be a favor. In any event, reliever George Kontos said he thinks fans would welcome Sandoval back, not just because they’d be able to dust off their panda hats.

“I think a lot of focus has been put on the small event of him choosing somewhere else to go rather than signing back here,” Kontos said, “but if he were to show up with a Giants uniform on and play for this ballclub again, I think it would be just like it was in the past.”

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As for the players? “If he walked in this clubhouse, I think he’d be welcomed with open arms,” Kontos said. “This organization is a loyal organization. They don’t forget guys who helped them out in the past so the possibility of him coming back wouldn’t surprise me that much.”

There’s this little issue of whether Sandoval can still play. He had little to show in his third season with the Red Sox, hitting .212 with a .269 on-base percentage, four homers and 12 RBIs in 32 games. He was a defensive liability, and his conditioning continued to be suspect.

“It’s our job to go out and perform,” Posey said. “If the front offices thinks there’s somebody who can help us, I don’t think as players we get wrapped up in that. We’ve got enough to worry about.”

By the way, someone told Bochy the Dodgers designated Sergio Romo for assignment, and the manager joked that Romo would be the next former Giant to come back.

San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval smiles during batting practice before Game 7 of baseball's World Series against the Kansas City Royals Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) less San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval smiles during batting practice before Game 7 of baseball's World Series against the Kansas City Royals Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP ... more Photo: Charlie Neibergall, Associated Press Photo: Charlie Neibergall, Associated Press Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close Giants players respond to Sandoval returning 1 / 7 Back to Gallery

John Shea is The San Francisco Chronicle’s national baseball writer. Email: jshea@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JohnSheaHey