Report: Red Sox 'All In' On Pablo Sandoval
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Red Sox are reportedly making a big push for one of the biggest bats on the free agent market.
According to ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes, one MLB executive says Boston is "all in" on free agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval.
Many see Sandoval, better known as "Kung Fu Panda," as a perfect fit for the Red Sox. He would fill their immediate need at third base, provide a left-handed bat in the order (he's a switch hitter), and could eventually take over at DH whenever David Ortiz decides to step away from the game. Sandoval is a clutch performer when it comes to the postseason, sporting a .344 batting average with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 39 playoffs games. He's won three World Series during his time with the Giants, batting .426 in the Fall Classic.
He's also very durable despite his large stature (5-foot-11, 245 pounds), playing a career-high 157 games last season with a .279 batting average to go with 16 homers and 73 RBIs. He's averaged 124 games played over his seven-year MLB career.
Red Sox GM Ben Cherington said Tuesday he met Sandoval's agent, Gustavo Vazquez, earlier this week, and the two had a "constructive" conversation, according to Edes.
"We've met with several [agents], including [Vazquez], and had good constructive conversations with a lot of guys already," said Cherington. "All those conversations will continue. I don't expect anything to happen this week, or maybe in the near term. This may play out. I expect many [conversations] to continue over the next few weeks."
Sandoval is in the market for a six-year deal that could be worth from $90-100 million.
MORE SPORTS COVERAGE FROM CBS BOSTON
