Pablo Sandoval is on Boston's 3B wish list, but so is Chase Headley
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Red Sox, in need of third base production, are prioritizing Giants postseason hero Pablo Sandoval as well as Chase Headley, according to people in the know.
Boston may also take a look at Aramis Ramirez, if he become a free agent, though he is said to fit below Sandoval and Headley. Ramirez is believed to prefer a return to Milwaukee.
The Red Sox didn't get much production from young Will Middlebrooks this year, as he hit .191 with only two home runs in an injury-plagued year. His .522 OPS was more than 300 points lower than the .835 of two years ago, when he looked like a future star.
Boston has been long rumored to have its eye on Sandoval, but Headley makes sense, as well. The Red Sox seek production after their awful offensive season.
Sandoval and Headley are both free agents, with the incumbent teams both interested in re-signing them. The Giants have made no secret about wanting to keep Sandoval, and they have a terrific track record of keeping their starters, especially through their recent mini dynasty -- though they seemed to prefer a three-year deal in spring training, with Sandoval said to be seeking a $100-million-plus contract at the time.
The Yankees are said to want to re-sign Headley in what is an indication they have doubts whether Alex Rodriguez can return as a starting third baseman.
Sandoval, still only 28, hit .279 with 16 home runs and 73 RBI and has helped himself with another very nice postseason, both from an offensive and defensive standpoint. Headley got off to a very slow start with the Padres and won't approach what he might have received a couple of years ago, but he finished decently with the Yankees and wound up hitting .249 with 13 homers and 49 RBI. That's a far cry from 2012 when he led the NL in RBI, but in a game where there's a shortage of third basemen, he should still do pretty well.
The Brewers and Ramirez have a $14-million option, and it's been expected that since the team has to pay a $4-million buyout, they will likely exercise that option. Ramirez in that event could choose to stay for $14 million, or become a free agent. At that point, the Brewers would have to decide whether to offer A-Ram the $15.3-million qualifying offer.
The Giants will make that qualifying offer to Sandoval, with the player assured of turning it down. The Yankees are not eligible to make that offer to Headley since he was acquired in midseason.
