San Francisco, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – The newly crowned World Series
champion San Francisco Giants began their offseason by extending impending
free agent Pablo Sandoval a one-year qualifying offer at Monday’s deadline.
The move is a mere formality, with Sandoval certain to reject the $15.3
million tender for next season and receive a lucrative multi-year deal on the
open market. If the 2012 World Series MVP does sign with another team, the
Giants will receive draft-pick compensation.
A career .294 hitter over seven major league seasons — all with San Francisco
— Sandoval has been even more dangerous in the playoffs. The switch-hitting
third baseman owns a .344 average with six home runs and 20 RBI over 39
postseason games.
Sandoval racked up six homers and 13 RBI during the Giants’ march to the 2012
World Series title, then established an MLB record with 26 hits while batting
.366 in San Francisco’s most recent championship run.
The 28-year-old hit .279 with 16 homers and 79 RBI in 157 games during the
2014 regular season.
