Sandoval instrumental in recruiting FA friends

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Shortly after arriving at Scottsdale Stadium on Sunday, newly acquired infielder Yangervis Solarte joked that he felt like he's been a Giant for seven years.
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That familiarity stemmed not only from his four-year stint with the Padres, but also from the fact that he was walking into a clubhouse dotted with old friends.
Solarte has known fellow newcomer Gerardo Parra and Pablo Sandoval since the three were teenagers playing youth baseball in their native Venezuela. The trio spent the offseason working out at Bommarito Performance Systems, a training facility in Davie, Fla., along with René Rivera and Dereck Rodríguez.
Sandoval played a role in helping to bring his workout partners to the Giants, as he texted Giants manager Bruce Bochy during the offseason and lobbied for him to consider bringing them to San Francisco. Solarte, Parra and Rivera eventually signed Minor League deals with the Giants, just as Rodriguez did a year ago.
"Pablo was in my ear," Bochy said Sunday. "We had the [Coaching Corps Game Changer Awards] three weeks ago, but even before that, I talked to him. He said he was working out with those guys, and they're available."
Sandoval said he takes pride in his ability to recruit players to the Giants, adding that he spoke to both Parra and Solarte about his experience playing in the organization before they signed.
"They trust me because we've been friends for a long time," Sandoval said. "With Parra and Solarte, we signed as little kids. We trust each other. We trust all the work we put in. When we say something about teams, you have to listen."
Bochy said he believes having those type of tight-knit relationships in the clubhouse will help the team develop better on-field chemistry during the season.
"It's an important part of the game," Bochy said. "It's not talked about a lot, especially when you're looking at numbers and break down players on what they do on the field, but that makes a team better. No doubt about it."
Solarte open to playing outfield
Part of Solarte's appeal to the Giants was his ability to play all over the infield and his willingness to see some time in left field. Solarte hasn't played the outfield since 2014, but he said he's eager to get reacquainted with the position.
"It's something that I haven't done in a while, but I don't care," Solarte said in Spanish. "I'm just grateful for the opportunity. I'll play wherever. I'm just happy to be able to do what I love and help the team in whatever way I can."