The Boston Red Sox aren't going away. The team reportedly offered free-agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval a five-year, $95 million contract. In the AL Central, the Chicago White Sox lured in Adam LaRoche with a two-year contract.
Boston has set the asking price for Sandoval at $95 million. The free-agent has made it known he wants at least a six-year deal, but he has yet to have his wish granted from teams that are interested in him. The San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays are also in contention for Sandoval. It was speculated the Padres and Blue Jays would have offers for him this week, but nothing has developed.
Sandoval is only 28 years old and has three World Series rings. His switch-hitting bat and postseason experience are what make him so valuable, which is why it was recently reported that the Red Sox were going "all in" on him this offseason. But based on the offer, the other competing teams might have a better chance to land him if they were to offer more years or more money.
Sandoval isn't the only sought after free agent on the market. First baseman Adam LaRoche has been garnering interest because of his power bat and he has finally inked a deal. The 35-year-old signed a two-year, $25 million contract with the Chicago White Sox and will now join Jose Abreu, the AL Rookie of the Year, in the middle of the batting order. The Washington Nationals declined LaRoche's $15 million option for 2015 a couple of weeks ago, allowing him to explore free agency.
The veteran proved he can still hit in 2014 during which he slashed .259/.362/.455 with 26 home runs and 92 RBIs. However, his dismal postseason performance with Washington likely led to the team declining his option. LaRoche batted .056 (1-for-18) with four strikeouts in the NLDS against the San Francisco Giants. But now he'll join and up-and-coming White Sox team that finished 13th in the league for runs scored (660).
Many believed the Miami Marlins would land LaRoche after the team offered him two years and $20 million, but the White Sox swooped in shortly thereafter and brought him to the American League. Chicago has yet to announce the transaction.
