A second possible free agency target of the Boston Red Sox will come at a higher price this offseason.
The San Francisco Giants extended a $15.3 million qualifying offer to third baseman Pablo Sandoval on Monday, via ESPN. Sandoval has until Nov. 10 to accept the offer, but will likely reject it, as none of the 22 qualifying offers made over the past two seasons have been accepted.
The 28-year-old has had an impressive career with the Giants, boasting a .294 batting average, 106 home runs and 462 RBIs while collecting three World Series rings over seven seasons. Kung Fu Panda also is batting .344 with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 39 postseason games.
Sandoval reportedly rejected a three-year, $40 million contract extension from the Giants back in March. ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reported that Sandoval wants to stay with the Giants, but he’s also looking for a long-term deal, which San Francisco might be reluctant to give him.
Sandoval — along with Kansas City Royals starting pitcher James Shields — is the second possible Red Sox target to be given a qualifying offer. Under MLB rules, teams that sign a player who has been given a qualifying offer have to give up their first round draft pick, and the player’s former team receives a pick at the end of the first round. However, the top ten picks are protected, so should the Red Sox choose make a deal with either Sandoval or Shields, they would lose their second-highest pick.
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