San Francisco Giants' third baseman Pablo Sandoval is one of the few coveted free agents of the 2014 offseason. According to sources, he's seeking a six-year deal, which should pay him in the $100 million range, but are the Giants willing to pay the 28-year-old that much money?
Giants' general manager Brett Sabean said San Francisco has engaged in talks with Sandoval's agent, Gustavo Vasquez, and it's been reported that Sandoval is willing to sacrifice some money if he gets the amount of years he desires. However, Vazquez also noted that Sandoval will "sign fast" if he's presented with an offer he likes, which does not guarantee a return to San Francisco.
Sandoval is obviously the Giants' top priority since he's been an integral part of the three World Series runs in 2010, 2012 and 2014. Throughout his career with San Francisco, Sandoval has maintained a .294 average to go along with 398 runs scored, 106 home runs and 462 RBIs. What's even more impressive are his career postseason numbers: in 39 games, Sandoval has slashed .344/.389/.545 with 53 hits, including six home runs and 20 RBIs. He was named MVP of the 2012 World Series after he batted .500 (8-for-16) with three home runs and four RBIs.
But because of his success, the Giants have some competition on the free-agent market. Sabean offered Sandoval a three-year, $40 million extension during the season and Vasquez was thinking more along the lines of a five-year, $90 million deal. With that news, the door is open for other teams to jump in. The Boston Red Sox are reportedly interested in the third baseman because Will Middlebrooks has not panned out as they originally expected. They do have youngsters Garin Cecchini and Brock Holt, but they may want someone they can plug in and get immediate results from. We know the Red Sox aren't scared to pony up the big bucks, so it's a fair assumption Sandoval could be headed to the East Coast.
However, ESPN Insider Jim Bowden also noted that the Yankees, White Sox and even the Marlins could get involved. Well, we can rule the Yankees out because it was reported earlier in the week that the team is not going to pursue any of the big-name free agents. But the White Sox and Marlins could remain possible destinations, especially since they both have franchise players to build around. White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu is expected to take home AL Rookie of the Year honors and Marlins' outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is a finalist for the NL MVP award. The Marlins are engaged in contract extension talks with Stanton and if they can get that done quickly then they could jump on signing Sandoval as well.
Vasquez told the San Francisco Chronicle that a "few teams" are interested in Sandoval, so it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out. Remember, when Sandoval rejects the Giants' one-year, $15.3 million qualifying offer, he has draft pick compensation attached to him, which means if he signs with another team, then that ball club will have to surrender their first round draft pick (if it's outside the top 10) to the Giants.
