Entering the offseason, general manager Brian Sabean and the San Francisco Giants front office faced a question regarding free agent Pablo Sandoval that seemingly had no correct answer.
On the one hand, Kung Fu Panda has been unquantifiably crucial to the Giants' three World Series runs in the last five years. But on the other, he was expected to be in line for a major payday. Not only did he once again rake in the postseason, but his brother/agent recently talked about seeking respect.
"The good part of this is he’ll get a chance to explore his value on the market, see who can really appreciate him and his work," said Michael Sandoval, via the Boston Herald's Michael Silverman.
Translation: Brother is going to get paid. Like, nine-figures paid.
But the Giants' once impossible decision (Sandoval has been a San Francisco hero over the past half-decade, but do his numbers really command a bloated contract?) may have just gotten a little easier, so long as this rumor from ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick is accurate:
There's no question that $90 million seems like a lot, until you realize Russell Martin was just given $82 million over five years, as reported by ESPN.com. That's not meant as a slight to Martin—he's one of the best two-way catchers in the league—but it's a testament to the kind of contracts that are given out when there is no salary cap.
And in that kind of environment, Sandoval is a no-brainer for $90 million over five years.
Panda hit .279/.324/.415 with 16 home runs and 73 RBI last season, numbers that are a little lower than his career averages. He also provided solid defense at the hot corner, finishing with four defensive runs saved, per FanGraphs.com.
He's not spectacular. But he has solid pop, hardly ever strikes out (third among third basemen in K percentage last year), provides consistent defense at an important position and has a knack for coming up big in clutch situations.
Sandoval had an OPS of .808 with runners in scoring position last year. That was actually well below his career average but still seventh among all qualified third basemen. He also hit a scorching .366/.423/.465 in the postseason, setting a major league record in the process:
Throw in the fact that a five-year deal would only keep him under contract until he's 33, and there's little reason not to like a contract of this nature.
It sounds as though the Boston Red Sox are going to be aggressive, so the price could very well increase. But if the price remains this reasonable, the Giants have no choice but to match the offer and hope Panda returns home.
He's simply too important to let walk for that kind of contract.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
- Login to post comments