We’re a couple of weeks into the offseason now and, while the Red Sox are shaping to be one of the more active teams in baseball this winter, there has been one name that has truly dominated Red Sox rumors and that name is Pablo Sandoval.
Since the World Series ended, it has been clear that Sandoval would be a Red Sox target. However, judging by a handful of reporters across Major League Baseball, it appears that Sandoval has surpassed the title of mere “target” and is now a borderline priority for the Red Sox.
A recent report from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports indicated that the Red Sox and Giants make up practically the entirety of Sandoval’s market. While the Blue Jays and White Sox are dark horses in the Sandoval sweepstakes, Rosenthal says that Boston and San Francisco are the only real contenders for his services, though he also says that the Giants are the current favorite.
Another report– this one from ESPN Boston’s Gordon Edes– says that the Red Sox are “all in” on Sandoval.
The hot stove season has a tendency to blow things out of proportion and that may well be the case in Boston’s interest in Sandoval. However, with few viable third base options on the free agent market aside from Hanley Ramirez, who is likely to cost a great deal, and Chase Headley, it certainly seems likely that the Red Sox will make a full-court press for Sandoval. Still, this front office has been rational and economical in their previous free agent negotiations and they likely won’t further pursue Sandoval if the price balloons too much.