We learned late last month that the Red Sox had their sights set on free agent Pablo Sandoval. The club isn’t wasting any time. According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the two sides will meet during the general managers’ meetings next week in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Sandoval’s agent, Gustavo Vasquez, told Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle earlier this week that his client wants at least a six-year contract. The 28-year-old has already rejected a one-year, $15.3 million qualifying offer from the Giants and figures to land a deal close to $100 million on the open market. Cafardo hears that the White Sox and Blue Jays also have strong interest in Sandoval.
Only the Astros had a lower OPS at third base this season than the Red Sox (.580), so there’s a clear need for an upgrade going into 2015. Chase Headley is another possibility beyond Sandoval, but the Yankees are expected to try to bring him back.