Here’s the latest on Pablo Sandoval, with the newest items at the top of the post…
- The Marlins and Yankees have yet to express any interest in Sandoval, MLB Daily Dish’s Chris Cotillo tweets. Both teams were cited as possible suitors for the Panda’s services before the offseason began.
- Sandoval could be something of an underrated value, as WEEI.com’s Alex Speier compares the slugger to past comparables in similar free agent situations.
- Sandoval’s market seems to be down to the Giants and Red Sox, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports (Twitter links). Boston is “weighing other options” and in need of a “big play” to dislodge San Francisco as the favorite to sign the Panda. Rosenthal cautions that things could change rapidly, of course, if another team sees an opportunity to get into the bidding. The White Sox and Blue Jays have also been linked to Sandoval this offseason but their “interest seems limited.”
Boston needs to sign him. Otherwise they’ll start going after Headley and the Yankees need Headley. He’s ours!
Agreed!
Red Sox are rumored to be speaking with Hanley Ramirez as well.
I think they’re leaning Sandoval to get a better price, less years… But if it doesn’t work out with Sandoval, they could always spend more for Ramirez.
Gotta figure Hanley is plan C. The Red Sox could use another left hander/switch hitter, and that would be the priority over a right handed bat.
Sandoval has had a pretty large platoon split over his career, particularly this past season when he basically did not hit lefties at all. His value as a switch hitter may be overrated.
The Red Sox need him for his left handed bat not his switch hitting.
Not to mention Sandoval is a pretty good third baseman.
I would love to say out loud skadooosh when he hits a homerun haha
I wonder what would happen in that case (If Headley goes to Boston and Sandoval goes to San Fran). Maybe Yankees sign Hanley for 3B? I mean yes they need a SS too but there are still some SS on the market and could be others on the trading block.
At that point, I think they’d play Prado at 3rd and let it roll with Ref/Pirela at 2nd.
It seems a bit early for Sandoval’s market to be only two teams.
I think that’s because Sandoval’s price tag has already gotten silly. If he’s really going to end up with something like 6/110, that’s got a very high likelihood of heading into albatross territory when/if Sandoval can’t play third anymore.
Agreed. Its gonna come down to his loyalty to the Giants, or if he follows the probable bigger deal being offered by Boston. But at least with Boston, he can DH when Ortiz rides off into retirement
Just how it looks now. If he waits to the winter meetings, i could see a mystery team or two jump into the fray (however, I still think Boston lands him)
If the Red Sox are “weighing other options”, then Panda will win.
On the other hand, if they are looking for the better player at a lower price, they should chase Headley.
Pick your poison. A bidding war with the Yankees or a bidding war with the Giants. I think the Red Sox lose either way. Unless Headley would choose the guaranteed playing time over a somewhat uncertain situation in the Bronx.
A-Rod will be rotating around DH, 3rd Base, and possibly some 1st base as well. No doubt Sox wouldnt win a bidding war. But at least they would guarantee him that he would in fact be the everyday 3rd baseman
Also rotating around the DL.
A bidding war for Chase Headley? What is this world coming to?
It’s crazy that teams would want a player that’s a superior defender and a passable bat in an offensively dry league.
He did play at Petco most his career, his batting line with the Yankees might lead some to believe he can offer something at the plate.
4.4 fWAR player last year at a premium position that hits from the left side of the plate. Same value as Dustin Pedroia or Victor Martinez. Sounds solid to me.
A bidding war that would still end up lower risk than Sandoval.
Hopefully by weighing other options, it means Headley and not Ramirez
If Ramirez’s price really drops below 100 MM, as some analysts predict, he would be a good signing. Ramirez has a better bat and at the same price as Panda he would be a good signing.
That is true… But I still think Ramirez get $100mil+, if it drops below that then that is a different story
In some way it could depend on who signs first and and by who. If a surprise or mystery team were to take Headley, then that would leave the Giants, NY and Boston and potentially others who would be in demand for Hanley and Pablo. At that point the price goes up. However I think Headley would like to stay in the hitter friendly environment of the AL East if she signs for 4 years or less since it could set him up for another potential contract.
Tigers would be interested if they cannot sign VMART. Castellanos is not a 3rd baseman defensively. The Royals will bunt at will for base hits against him if he does not improve dramatically.
BOS is “weighing other options”…? Geez, I know is weight has been an issue before, but they’re making other player alternatives weigh in? I wonder what Panda can do to tip the scales in his favor.
C’mon Ben, sign Panda and Lester.
That would be such an awesome 1-2 punch!! Then just work on on backup catcher, relief help and another starter
“Weighing other options” – nice subtle burn
I thought so too..
Headley -220
Hanley -225
Pablo – 245 ( listed)
You’re welcome Redsox
How tall is Hanley? Because I weigh more than him at 6’6” and am feeling really poorly about myself right now.
If the Red Sox sign Sandoval, they will have 2 of some of the most overrated players in the league, the other being Cespedes. I don’t expect them to contend next year.
Hopefully by “weighing their options” they mean a low risk contract for Casey McGehee
I’d rather see Panda stay with SF. Seems like he belongs there. As a Yankee fan, if he goes to Boston, my only hope is that they overpay him.
As a Red Sox fan I’d rather see him stay with SF as well, it’s a guaranteed over-pay.
Not sure why there is such hoopla around a guy that has Martin Prado type numbers…..
They can have him.. Hope the White Sox drop out. Not worth 100 Million… Headley is better risk , Even Hanley is better risk… long term…
Headley to the Red Sox? That would leave the Yankees with very few options other than Ramirez and they are saying they want to keep payroll under the luxury tax.
Didn’t the Yankees throw that supposed idea out the window with all their signings last off season? The line is $189m, current obligations already put the Yankees at about $180m and we’re just getting started. No way will they be under the line next year.
If Alex Spier is saying Panda is undervalued, perhaps that’s a inkling that the Red Sox are close to signing him. It’s true in many cities, but the Boston FO does a very good job working closely with related media.