According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval rejected the team's one-year $15.3 million qualifying offer and will test costless agency.
With many team's looking for a reliable bat at third base, this makes sense. It really was an easy choice for Sandoval, as he will surely get a long term deal for more money on the open market.. Reports were made that in Spring Training this past season the super star rejected a three-year, $40 million offer from the Giants. That money was later used on Hunter Pence. After putting up a solid second half of the season and a strong postseason, Sandoval should be able to ask for more and receive more. Also, third base is a scarcity in the MLB and he is a switch hitter, making him even more desirable.
The 28-year-old has won three World Series championships, a World Series MVP, a Babe Ruth Award and is a two-time All Star. He also hit three consecutive home runs in his first three at-bats during Game 1 of the 2012 World Series against the Detroit Tigers. Sandoval was also a huge part of the Giants' recent World Series victory, as he recorded an MLB record 26 hits in the 2014 postseason.
Sandoval has been in the league for a total of seven years, all with the Giants. He has slashed .294/.346/.465 over his career, along with 106 home runs and 462 RBI's. On average, per season, he will put up about 20 home runs and 86 RBI's. At the age of 28, the Panda is still a major threat every time he steps in the box against opposing pitchers.
The Giants are probably the favorites to bring back Sandoval, but he will certainly have plenty of suitors on the open market.
According to FOX Sports, other notable players receiving offers were RHP Max Scherzer (Detroit), DH Victor Martinez (Detroit), LHP Francisco Liriano (Pittsburgh Pirates), catcher Russell Martin (Pittsburgh), shortstop Hanley Ramirez (Los Angeles Dodgers), outfielder Nelson Cruz (Baltimore Orioles), RHP James Shields (Kansas City Royals), closer David Robertson (New York Yankees), outfielder Melky Cabrera (Toronto Blue Jays), RHP Ervin Santana (Atlanta Braves) and outfielder Michael Cuddyer (Colorado Rockies).