Pablo Sandoval is seeking a six-year contract on the open market, his agent Gustavo Vasquez tells Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle. Given his client’s age, Vasquez doesn’t feel that a four- or five-year deal is a sensible target. “Maybe if he was 30 or 31 we could talk about four or five years,” Vasquez said to Schulman. “But he’s 28. He deserves more than that.”
Vasquez explained to Schulman that the six-year term of the contract is more important to Sandoval than the average annual value. That comment isn’t surprising, as a player will typically downgrade a contract’s AAV as the years increase. While he said Sandoval has no specific dollar figure in mind, other reports have indicated a target north of $100MM. So, while the AAV of the deal may be somewhat flexible, it seems Vasquez must be eyeing at least a $17MM annual salary for his client.
The Giants have yet to make a formal offer and instead have been discussing various options regarding the length of the deal, according to Vasquez. He’s already spoken to multiple teams about Sandoval and is expected to have several face-to-face meetings at next week’s GM Meetings in Phoenix. The agent notes that Sandoval isn’t necessarily interested in dragging out the process and would sign quickly if he received an offer he likes.
As Schulman writes, he got a different sense from Giants GM Brian Sabean regarding an offer to Sandoval at the team’s postseason debriefing. Sabean told reporters that the Giants have explained to free agents Jake Peavy and Ryan Vogelsong that they first need to sort of Sandoval’s situation before moving onto them, and his comments did imply that they’ve made some form of offer: “We’ve told both Peavy and Vogelsong we need time to sort things out. Again, it goes back to Pablo. Pablo is the only one we’ve engaged as far as an offer and moving forward. The other four free agents know where we stand.”
Sandoval figures to be an attractive option on the free agent market this winter, though it remains to be seen whether any team will be be comfortable with his desired six-year term. The Red Sox have been linked to him on multiple occasions, and the Marlins are another team reported to have interest. Sandoval would also make sense for the White Sox. The Yankees have a definite need in the infield, though to this point, they’re not focused on Sandoval and are said to prefer to re-sign Chase Headley.
Kemajic
So how much to you think Pablo will weigh in 6 years?
Marc
Listed weight or actual weight? He can’t weigh only 245lbs right now…
Jaysfan1994 2
He’s got to be around 280-300ibs. When he lost a ton of weight in 2011, it says he was 275ibs before. That was before he had some muscle, he looks a lot heavier than he did in 2010 right now.
Even if he’s only 5’10, Artie Lange would look good beside him.
Tko11
He will have enough money for his own bamboo farm after the paycheck he’s about to get.
Jays Fan 3
More than his batting average…
UK Tiger
As i said in another Sandoval article, somebody is going to grossly overpay for the Panda this winter.
Good player, but six years $100m+ type player?
Not for me.
BrettLawriesnewesttattoo
Six years is just the starting point his agent is throwing out there. (that may realistically mean Panda only gets 4 or 5 guaranteed years in the end) I’m actually surprised that he’s publicly settling for 6 years given the increase in spending the last few offseasons.
UK Tiger
Age wise, at 28, six years isnt an unrealistic ask, its just the weight worries and, what i said above, that i dont see his production as justifying it that would concern.
I see Sandoval as a four year $60m type player, no doubt the market will see differently as teams get desperate.
Jeffy25
4/60 is perfect for him and his production.
Though, he has this post-season reputation, and he is clearly the best 3B on the market, and is fairly young.
bobbleheadguru
Headley is better.
BrettLawriesnewesttattoo
i think you’re right and it will be interesting to see who signs first and how that contract affects the other.
Joe 52
You sure about that? Headley has only had one better than average year in his career, and has been below average ever since then.
bobbleheadguru
Headley fWAR last 3 years: 7.2, 3.6, 4.4
Panda fWAR last 3 years: 2.6, 2.3, 3.0
Headley is an off the charts defender. This value is “hidden” if you are only looking at offensive “counting stats”.
His fWAR was better than Panda each of the last 3 years.
If you add the numbers…. Headley is at 15.2, Panda only 7.9.
discollama
You can’t argue those numbers, but Headley’s value is tied up in his defense as he’s pretty much just a league average hitter. Teams don’t pay for chronically injured defensive specialists though, so Sandoval should get a much larger contract.
slider32
Headley is a better player in the regular season, but Pablo is a tough call because of his post season success. I think he has to stay with the Giants to be successful. He has a following there. If he signs a big contract somewhere else he will never meet expectations.
EskimoJS
Tiny sample sizes like the post-season is completely irrelevant and should pretty much not even be looked at at all in a discussion regarding which player is better. Let me boil it down even simpler: IF clutch even exists, it’s not provable and is pointless to even discuss.
UK Tiger
Ive seen more then enough statistical evidence that tells me clutch doesnt exist, is nothing more than causality and a figment of peoples imaginations.
EskimoJS
Agreed 100%. It’s literally just selective memory. All my fellow yankee fans tell me how clutch Jeter is and how awful and unclutch A-Rod is. I can sadly recall more clutch A-Rod moments than I can recall clutch Jeter moments. I’d love to glorify Jeter and hate A-Rod like everyone else does…but that wouldn’t be very objective of me. I wish baseball would shift away from standard stats, clutch, grit, heart, the will to win, etc. If they want to use terrible stats, use OPSBIs…just kidding. But yes, clutch is nonsense.
I once called Mike Francesa about that…he was irate. He agreed that sabermetrics should be used more and said its becoming more accepted and cited OPS. I told him OPS is not a sabermetric but he disagreed. But once I said RBIs are terrible and clutch isn’t provable and not worth discussing…he cut me off the line. His rebuttal? Evan Longoria. “Of course clutch exists…look at all of Evan Longoria’s clutch hits.” Lol @ mike.
Lisa Meier
Sandoval’s postseason sample size is actually not that small–154 AB’s in the post season with an BA of .344 and SLG of .545. 2 HR in Game 1 off of Verlander if I remember correctly. He was also in contention for a gold glove this year. Headley, on the other hand, has a career BA of .265 (.243 last season) while Pablo’s a career .294 (.279 last season). And Sandoval’s 2 years younger.
Overbrook
If that’s true, it also means that choke doesn’t exist either.
UK Tiger
Correct.
I think all it shows is that small sample sizes can prove or disprove anything, i.e. they are pretty worthless.
EskimoJS
That is correct…choke doesn’t exist.
PoseyTheGreat
I think the market will show that Sandoval is more desirable. That’s because the Panda is far superior with the bat.
UK Tiger
Combined rWAR last five years:
Headley 16.4
Sandoval 15.7
EskimoJS
Don’t cite WAR if it’s not fWAR.
UK Tiger
Sorry, i didnt realise it was the law that only fWAR counts.
I take it all back officer.
By the way…(fWAR)
Headley 21.9
Sandoval 15.8
Marc
UK Tiger, you can only use the stats that support the opposition’s argument. Therefore, only fWAR matters.
UK Tiger
Quite…the ironic thing was fWAR pegs Headley way ahead of Sandoval, far more so than rWAR which i used in the first instance.
EskimoJS
It’s not ironic…it was intentional as I’m in the Headley camp.
UK Tiger
Fair comment, from the tone of your first post it intimated you may think otherwise.
EskimoJS
Nope…I’m not a panda defender. I’m simply a saber-snob 🙂
EskimoJS
1. I’m not the opposition as I think Headley is better.
2. fWAR supports UK Tiger’s argument even better than the terrible other version of WAR.
I’m trying to get people to use the objectively best stats. I don’t care who it favors.
EskimoJS
Much better. Don’t let it happen again.
MB923
Yes Master lol. Tell me why fWAR is so superior to rWAR?
EskimoJS
It uses UZR.
MB923
UZR, like every stat in the book, has many flaws.
EskimoJS
Indeed…but it beats the heck out of what rWAR uses. I’d rather use the less flawed of the two.
Ruthlessly Absurd
Because rWAR has Zack Greinke’s 2009 season as superior to Pedro Martinez’s 1999 season, which means that it cannot be right. It just cannot.
MB923
And fWAR has AJ Burnett as a 1+ WAR with the Yankees in 2010 & 2011. I assure you he Cost that team Wins those years. It also has John Lackey as a + WAR in 2012 when he had the worst ERA in baseball that year.
By the way, fWAR has Greinke in 09 at 9.1 and rWAR at 10.4. Not a very big difference if you ask me.
MB923
“Don’t cite WAR if it’s not fWAR”
Is that a rule or something?
EskimoJS
I wish.
karkat
Baseball reference is a great site, but fWAR is totally the more principled WAR
MB923
Anything to support that claim? (for the record I use both, but I usually lean towards baseball reference for Pitchers).
karkat
I can probably get some later. I remember liking fWAR’s defensive measure better, I think it did something better with baserunning, and I think it used SIERA for pitching, where rWAR uses something not as great? (As you can tell I’m not in a position to gather actual info atm)
discollama
rWAR and fWAR are both usefull. Don’t be an elitist because you prefer one over the other. I too prefer fWAR, but rWAR is still useful and still reinforces your point.
EskimoJS
“Elitist?” I prefer the term “fWAR snob” thank you very much!
BrettLawriesnewesttattoo
yeah i agree his conditioning is a potential landmine but to justify a $100 million deal on the free market, Panda would “only” need to put up 14 wins or so over the life of the deal. Steamer has him projected for nearly 4 wins next year. plus, the present value of money and a team’s place on the win curve, could really make 6 years at $100 million not a big issue at all, especially for a team like the Blue Jays who don’t have very many long-term commitments at all.
slider32
Similar numbers to Melkey, going to get more money!
MB923
2 players have similar numbers that are good, 1 plays 3B, 1 plays LF. Who would you take?
selw0nk 2
Look what happen to Cano last year.
BrettLawriesnewesttattoo
Asking for 6 years is a pretty reasonable starting point for one of the best free agents out there this offseason. While the last 2 or 3 years of such a deal could be brutal if Panda’s body breaks down, the first 3 years could make up for it. If a team (and Panda) can find a way to stabilize his conditioning, I think 6 years is pretty reasonable
jljr222
I don’t see the years as an issue if a team can have a weight clause in the contract. He’s still only 28, but the contract is going to need interesting language to protect the team a little bit.
Yettyskills
I thought about a weight clause but why would he sign it? No doubt there will be a team offering a contract without one. Asking for something like that might just might sour him, and cost you his services. Which might be a good thing imo, but since we’re talking about a GM who wants him, doesn’t seem like a good idea.
jljr222
It could, but I guess it depends on how it’s worded or if the 6-year deal is on the high-end of the spectrum. Maybe it’s because I don’t want Sandoval that much haha.
brian310
6 years 15 mill a year? I think he has a good 4 years in him with 2 declining ones. Maybe front load it more for first 3 years?
Yettyskills
Tough for a NL team to commit 6 years to Panda. Don’t blame him and his agent for shooting for 6 with this weak crop of FA’s though.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
Good Luck Panda, but you’re lucky you have Pence and Bumgarner as coattails.
Especially, Bumgarner!
Yettyskills
Doubtful Sandoval is coming here to read your personal message to him.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
Such a gifted and observant blogger and with only 11 comments.
You, truly have Yetty Skills! I salute you.
bobbleheadguru
6/$100MM is actually pretty reasonable ($16.7MM AAV).
Would he take that?
That is a lot less risky than Scherzer/Lester/Shields contracts.
Yettyskills
Scherzer and Lester are two of the best in the game at what they do.
Sandoval isn’t except when playing in October.
Of course it’s less risky
bobbleheadguru
If Scherzer/Lester were 28, that would be different. But you have to assume their best years have passed. For Panda, his best 4 years may be the next four years.
UK Tiger
You’d have to hope his best years are still to come with his average season the last three years rounding out at 14HR, 71RBI and a .762 OPS, when the league average 3rd Baseman during that time is producing around the same and not getting paid $100m for the privilege.
VAR
Calling him a league average third baseman isn’t accurate. In 2014 he had a 111 wRC+ which makes him 11% better than an average hitter. He was also 6th in the majors in defense for his position. Again not average. He’s typicall good for about 3 fWAR a season, which puts him at 15-17 AAV depending on how you value fWAR. He’s a good if not spectacular player. He’s not average.
UK Tiger
By UZR and UZR 150 hes only the 10th best third bagger, to me pretty average.
Generally though I dont disagree, as i say in all my posts on this subject, he IS a good player, but thats it, and for me his production in no way merits the contract hes probably going to get, i simply want more return on paying that kind of money than he gives.
VAR
He’s playing a prime position well, and for most teams he would be an upgrade. There are teams in demand of his services. 15-17 AAV for a 3 WAR player is not unreasonable. It’s the going rate.
UK Tiger
Youre right, but that only goes to show how much the going rate is inflating salaries way beyond true worth, but thats another argument entirely.
VAR
I don’t see a difference between what fWAR is worth and what true worth is. If baseball itself wasn’t a profitable enterprise, your argument would stand. Yes it is a ton of money, but if Sandoval produces three fWAR a season he would be more than worth that. True worth isn’t something quantifiable. And keep in mind salaries increase and player value increases every season. I understand balking at paying him 18 million a season, but providing he stays healthy, that’s a reasonable, market based contract for someone with his skill set.
UK Tiger
Fair comments.
We’ll agree to disagree in this instance, but its debates like this that make the comments section on MLBTR one of the best places to talk Baseball.
discollama
I think the current esitmation of $/WAR right now is around $7-$7.5m. So even if you project him to be between 12-18 fWAR over the life of a six year deal, then he should be earning between $84m-$135m over the life of the deal.
VAR
I know, but I think that’s an overvalue of fWAR. At that rate Sandoval should see an AAV of 22.5 million, and I doubt he gets that. I think it probably settles out closer to 6. Even if you look at his average fWAR over his career he’s a 2.98 fWAR player. And that includes his first year only playing 41 games. Headley is at 2.91 average. That would yield a 21.8 million AAV. It may work out to 7.5 million per fWAR for pitchers, but I doubt position players will see the same type of money.
Tko11
After what Lester did this past season how can you say his best years have passed with a straight face?
bobbleheadguru
Yes, because of his age. Rule of thumb, 27-31 are peak years… in a 6 year deal, perhaps a year more of peak, and then 5 years of decline.
Tko11
If you stuck to the “rule of thumb” as a GM all the time you would get nowhere. I take those kind of classifications lightly as not one player is the same. Easy example here is David Ortiz.
bobbleheadguru
Just because there is one perhaps exception who is a HITTER, not a pitcher, does that mean there is no risk?
Tko11
There’s more than one. There are also guys who decline at a younger age a la lincecum
MB923
He should get a 6 year deal easily. Question is though is the money. $100+ mil?
UK Tiger
I think its likely yes, but if i had a gun to my head and were forced to give him six years, id cap it at $12m for a 6/72 offer.
Tko11
And his agent would laugh and hang up
UK Tiger
I didnt say its what he’ll get did i?
Its what hes worth in my eyes, but as i said, hes going to get grossly overpaid.
Tko11
I’m saying if some GM offered that to Sandoval’s agent that is what would happen. His market itself is enough to drive that price a lot higher.
UK Tiger
No doubt, enough interested teams will drive the price way north of reality, as is always the case.
RichW
Reality is what the market will pay not your estimation of it.
UK Tiger
Agree, but it doesnt mean the market is right, the market gets it wrong plenty of times too.
RichW
The market can’t be “wrong” ie if someone wants the asset enough they will pay. No different than a house with 8 bidders going for 20% more than the estimate. The estimate was wrong. Same happens in reverse, see Nelson Cruz and Stephen Drew last year. The market set their compensation.
Teams use “market pricing” for tickets all the time. In ST the Giants sell grass berm admission for $20 because that’s what people will pay. Other people pay $7 to watch a different game.
UK Tiger
Of course the market can be wrong.
If i sell a car worth $100 and have enough people bidding $1,000 it doesnt suddenly mean the car was worth $1,000 all along, it means someone has paid way too much for what they are getting.
Its the same analogy with Baseball players.
The market will determine what someone gets in a particular year, but there are many driving forces behind that including competition, needs, lack of similar players etc.
There are loads of bad baseball contracts out there paying multi-millions to players giving little to nothing back in return, ergo, the market was wrong in giving them that much.
Its a way of phrasing things but im sure you get my point.
bobbleheadguru
Thinking this through for my Tigers:
1. Castellanos was terrible at 3rd base (-19.1 UZR/150) (-15: Awful, 0: Average, +15: Gold Glove). He could improve in year 2, but maybe he would be better focusing in on hitting only and gradually getting time at 1st and LF where his poor defense can be hidden.
2. Panda’s UZR/150 is +3.5. He could stay at 3rd for a good 2-3 years and still be serviceable.
3. Headley’s UZR/150 was +28.0. He is off the charts defensively and could be locked in there for 4 years without much risk (at least defensively). Also no QO.
If I were the Tigers I would seriously consider signing Headley and saving at least $20MM v. VMART (with a similar fWAR value… more of it from defense than offense) and then opening up the DH position to Castellanos and Cabrera to share.
Marc
How would you save $20MM on Headley vs. VMART? Chasing Headley will drive the price up, and the Tigers may land him, but the Yankees have already claimed to be pursuing him. How expensive do you think each player will be?
My predictions – VMART 3yr/36MM & Headley 4yr/50MM
Headley would be better for the Tigers, but would cost MORE, not less, let alone $20MM less. EDIT: I really think Headley would be an excellent addition for the Tigers, regardless of what happens with VMART.
UK Tiger
Cant see that Marc.
V-Mart is coming off a four year $60m deal, hes just led the entire league in OPS, so despite his age theres no way hes taking only $12m AAV.
Marc
He got the 4/60MM contract when he still consistently played the field, and at C. A hitting C that’s also durable = $$$
UK Tiger
That maybe so, but hes now coming off much better production.
Last three years before Detroit, (2 in BOS, 1 in CLE), he totalled 7.1 rWAR.
Last three years in Detroit (not counting the one he missed entirely in 2012), he totalled 10.3 rWAR.
Not having to field hes established himself as one of the top 2 or 3 DH’s in the game, if not the best.
Theres no way on this earth anyone can justify a $12m AAV for the league OPS leader and more than double that for Nellie Cruz.
Jaysfan1994 2
I think there’s a legit argument to be made that Martinez should be getting David Ortiz money, however I don’t expect him to make anything more than Ortiz got for simple reasons that DH’s haven’t made a ton of money in recent history.
Martinez is looking at 3yrs/$45M or 4yrs/$59M guaranteed if that’s the case.
bobbleheadguru
His current contract is 4/$50MM I believe.
UK Tiger
Sorry you are correct.
The point still stands.
bobbleheadguru
According to MLB TR, Cruz is projected to get 4/$70MM…. and he is BELOW Martinez in the rankings of free agents. [Their age difference is 1 year… they are directly comparable].
Where did you get your 3/$36MM projection? I have not seen anything close to that anywhere. ALL 30 teams would take that deal in a second if it were out there.
Marc
You’re comparing a 34y/o against a 36y/o…Cruz is more valuable contract-wise even if VMART is a better player at this moment (debatable, considering they have different skill sets). Based on this logic, Carlos Beltran should have cost more last year because he was the best available OF.
I’m basing the 3/36 off of Carlos Betran’s contract with a bit of a pay cut for power differences and what appears to be a different market for VMART than Beltran. If you want to use Beltran’s contract, straight-up, you’re still spending more on Headley…
bobbleheadguru
VMART is 35. Cruz is 34. They are 1.5 years apart in age if you want to get technical about it… but considering Cruz’s PED history/expected “off the stuff” regression, they are directly comparable.
They do not have “different skill sets”. VMART has everything that Cruz has and more as a hitter. He plays 1st sometimes. Cruz plays OF sometimes. Neither plays the field very well.
Marc
Cruz just hit 40HR during his regression off the “stuff”. Also, VMART is 36 in a month, essentially “making” him a 36 y/o free agent signing, considering his age when Spring Training begins.
bobbleheadguru
VMART 2014 fWAR: 4.4
Cruz 2014 fWAR: 3.9
We don’t have to have a theoretical debate about this. Let’s just see what happens.
You think that Headley will get a $14MM bigger contract than VMART. I don’t. Let us see what happens!
Timme
You deserve at least some recognition for “chasing headley.” Well phrased
DKallday
I’ve always liked Headley, although he had a down year in 2014.
I think Castellanos was once an outfielder, right?
bobbleheadguru
Castellanos was moved from 3rd to OF (when Prince was signed and Miggy went to 3rd).
tune-in for baseball
Castellanos is a rookie and will get at least one more year to prove he can handle Third Base. If Iglesias can return with the same range he has shown in the past, that will made up for some of Castellanos’ short comings.Detroit has too many other issues for 2014 to think about doing anything at Third. Not sure where you got the $20MM savings figure vs. V Mart. Headly could have several suitors and cost close to the same money Detroit would spend for V Mart. His bat is vital to their offense. Granted Headly would be an improvement over Nick C. but he is too young to be looked at as a DH. Headly had more strikeouts than hits in 2014, which is a concern going forward. If you are going to share the DH role , I would want a L/R platoon option. I agree that any move the Tigers make should not be connected to a QO.
MB923
The thing that would worry me about Sandoval is the decrease in OBP the past 4 years, the decrease in wRC+ (for those that use it), and the Increase in Out Of Zone Swing %. The MLB average for OOZ swing % is about 31%. The Lowest Sandoval ever had in 1 season was 41.7%. His BB% is very low, though on the plus side, his K% is very low also. The regression is reminding me a lot like Brandon Phillips the past 4 years who went from a well above average 2B to now probably a slightly below average 2B (with the Bat that is).
Sandoval is of course 5 years younger and certainly can improve those numbers while still in his prime. But I would still say it’s somewhat of a cause for concern.
HoopDreams
I still think ultimately he stays with San Fran
MB923
I’m saying San Fran or Boston. I’d lean with San Fran since they are the better team (as of now), though their farm is among the worst whereas Boston is among the best.
Plus it would be a shame to leave by far the most beautiful ballpark .
HoopDreams
Yeah, I think Boston and New York will be fighting over Headley
MB923
I think Boston is after Sandoval first, but we shall see. I wonder what Boston’s plan is if Sandoval stays and Headley stays with the Yankees. Cechhini to 3B? I have to assume they are done with Middlebrooks.
VAR
If that happens they’ll make a trade. Although the available trade pieces leave a little to be desired. The organization isn’t as high on Cecchini as it once was, and he had a pretty rough season in AAA last year. I think in the future Red Sox AAA players are going to have to break into the lineup instead of just being given the job. Betts had to do it, and he performed pretty well in a limited sample size. Bogaerts and JBJ were given the job and struggled.
HoopDreams
Possibly, personally I hope Headley stays in NY. His OBT was pretty good and has had a high WAR the last couple of years. I assume Cechhini gets the nod because Middlebrooks is injury prone and just flat out stinks
UK Tiger
Love of Mission Style Burritos too much to give up?
Jays Fan 3
I think jays need a policy change: no contract over 6 years.
.
Marc
Why specifically 6 years? Are 7 year contracts that much worse than 6? And what if they land a young stud? “Sorry, we don’t do 6+ years here.”???
DirtyJay 3
Specifically 6 years because that is what Panda is asking for. Toronto’s current stated policy is nothing over 5 years.
Jays Fan 3
It was a joke. Blue jays currently have a policy that they won’t go more than 5 years for any free agent signing. Just saying we should extend that to 6 if that’s what Pablo is looking for.
Marc
Didn’t know the 5 year policy was in place, which is why i didn’t get the 6 year joke. My bad.
Jays Fan 3
Ya… The policy is the real joke lol
DKallday
Is there a team desperate enough to give him six years?
If so, I dont think Panda is going to be a Giant next season.
I Want My Bird
Panda stays in SF, book it. Team has no excuses, 3 WS and a fan favorite. Also, no 3B in the org. ready to take his place. Plus, they’re paying Timmy 18mil next year, so it’s not like they don’t take care of their own nostalgically.
FrnchDp
Duvall is a 3B. Duffy could possibly move there since there’s no room for him up the middle. There are options, just none as “ready” and Pablo
MB923
He’s only 28. A 6 year deal is actually a good deal for both Sandoval and the team that signs him.
FrnchDp
It’s a good deal for a AL team who can move him to DH when he’s 33 making 18M+ and has lost his quickness at 3B
MB923
Well he could also move to 1B too.
FrnchDp
not if that’s the long term plan for Posey though
MB923
I was talking about any team in general though there, not the Giants.
Jaysfan1994 2
Designated hitters don’t make more money than David Ortiz for a reason. If a DH hit what Sandoval did last year, that DH would be out of a job.
Nazzi_Muhammad
Considering the real shortage of power hitting players available, I don’t think he will have any problems getting that length of contract, even if he weighs more than a small automobile.
stl_cards16
He’s not really a power hitter, he just looks like one.
Nazzi_Muhammad
Tell that to the KC Royals
bobbleheadguru
Prince or Panda… they look similar, but are very different.
Who will have the better “next 5 years”?
I Want My Bird
Panda.
Dock_Elvis
What do you mean that they look similar? Anyway…Not that they compare… But I think Fielder is half cashed out now anyway
bobbleheadguru
5′ 11″
250 lbs+
What do mean by “half cashed out”…meaning Prince will not be motivated?
Dock_Elvis
Just different skill sets…hard to straight compare. Fielder might tank and still put up better power numbers.
Dock_Elvis
I mean “half cashed out” as in skill regression… Slowing bat speed.
Dock_Elvis
I always thought Ron Hassey looked like Chevy Chase. I wonder how Chevy Chase would have taken to being the reserve catcher behind Terry Steinbach with the A’s
LazerTown
Surprised they not looking for an opt out. Opt out in 3 years and he is a 31, if he manages to keep in shape he could still get another 5 year deal.
bobbleheadguru
I like it… 6/$95MM with opt out after 3/$55MM. Front loaded to keep him motivated while he is still playing 3rd base. Even if he leaves, the value to the team that signs him now will be 3 peak years with 3rd base defense included.
Jesse Rodriguez
Giants will resign him, he means way to much to the city, fans, and team. His weight isn’t a problem, the guy can hit. Especially during the playoffs.
youngcy
Agree, almost perfect contract for them. They could move him later.
Even during Regular season he is one of the best Clutch hitters in the game.
Reaper87
But that’s just the thing- his weight is a problem. Every year his weight has trended upwards (2010, 2013) he becomes injury-prone (mostly flukey, but still), and he regresses pretty much across the board (power, average, defense very noticeably). 6 years to the Panda for an NL team is a massive risk. I’m a Giants fan, and I wouldn’t touch him for 6 years. 5 with a team option and a buyout even would make me nervous.
raltongo 2
I hope Panda stays in SF so the team stays out of the Tomas bidding…
dezpoo
Pablo has an older brother, Luis Sandoval, who graduated from a culinary school in 2013 and is now Pablo’s personal chef. That’s how he lost 30-40 lbs during the off-season last year. Granted, his weight did creep upwards as the season wore on and conditioning daily was a bit harder for him to achieve due to schedule, etc.
Bone19
I really don’t understand all the bashing and focus on the mans weight. I get it, history shows us that bodies like that don’t tend to hold up well but the man puts up some solid numbers and is entertaining to watch and whatever organization that picks him up will be able to sell all kinds of things in reference to the panda. Including hats (like sf does) and more. I think the guy is more then just a pretty above average baseball player. He’s marketable and very likable and seems to shine when it counts the most. He probably would thrive in high pressure environments like Boston or New York. I personally feel he’s worth everything he’s asking for considering everything he brings to the table from a business perspective.
Pingston
Think Prince Fielder, that’s why the concern. For Big Papi and Babe Ruth it didn’t seem to matter.
Michael 23
good luck with that pablo
MB923
He’s only 28. He can definitely get a 6 year deal.
Bounded
How i look at it Re-Signing Sandoval is a must for the Giants
jerry d.
I’m on the fence about White Sox getting Sandoval. We have been down this road a few times. Most recently Adam Dunn. Would be great to have that bat around Abreu. I would also hate to lose the second coming of Big Papi. I know that’s a huge stretch, but the dude is clutch.
Pingston
He may “want” 6, but a 5-year deal with an optional 6th year plus performance bonuses could be as acceptable to many, and if the contract is middle loaded, a few teams move towards front of line-up. GMs have to take a long look, but also have to win to stay in job.