Report: Giants likely to let Pablo Sandoval hit free agency
The San Francisco Giants will likely let third baseman Pablo Sandoval hit free agency before trying to re-sign him, reports Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
The team has until Monday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern to try to re-sign Sandoval and the team’s other free agents before they hit the market. The Giants have been known to let their free agents see what other teams are offering before re-signing those players.
Leftfielder Michael Morse, starting pitchers Jake Peavy and Ryan Vogelsong, and relief pitcher Sergio Romo are the team’s other potential free agents.
“At the beginning of the season, Pablo decided to stop negotiating on a new contract so he could focus on his team and help his teammates win another World Series,” Sandoval’s agent Gustavo Vasquez told FOX Sports.
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The 28-year-old, two-time All-Star has spent all seven seasons of his career in San Francisco, helping the team win three World Series titles in five years. He was the World Series MVP in the team’s four-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers in 2012.
Sandoval reportedly turned down a three-year, $40 million deal at the start of the 2014 season. He hit .279 with 16 homers and 73 RBI on the year. He was a huge part of the Giants' postseason success, hitting .366 with 26 hits in 71 at-bats during the team’s 17 playoff games.
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“He took the risk of stopping the negotiation and possibly securing a new contract for himself and his family and decided to place his team in front of everything," Vasquez said. "As he has displayed throughout his career, team success is Pablo’s driving force. This season, he has once again proven himself to be a leader on and off the field and has shown everyone what he is made of. He is a committed and disciplined player and he would like to be valued as such as a free agent.”
Sandoval is a career .294 hitter, with 106 home runs and 462 RBI.
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