Report: Padres make highest offer for free-agent Pablo Sandoval
The San Diego Padres are in the bidding for free-agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval, joining the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox as the main suitors for the Panda.
In fact, the San Francisco Chronicle reports the Padres have made the highest offer to Sandoval. MLB.com reports the Padres' offer was "very competitive."
According to the Boston Globe, the Red Sox have offered Sandoval a five-year, $95 million deal. It remains unclear what the Giants have offered in an attempt to retain their starting third baseman, but the San Francisco Chronicle reports Sandoval's agent asked the Giants to submit their best offer this week.
Sandoval, 28, had a .279 batting average, .324 on-base percentage and .415 slugging average with 16 homers and 73 RBI this past season. A three-time World Series champion with the Giants, he hit .366 during the 2014 playoffs (and .429 in the World Series). Sandoval has spent his entire seven-year major league career with San Francisco.
Sandoval reportedly will make a decision about his future this week.