Sandoval, 28, hit .279 in the regular season with 16 home runs and 73 RBIs. In seven seasons with the Giants, Sandoval has belted 106 homers and driven in 462 runs. Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants on Monday extended third baseman Pablo Sandoval a $15.3 million qualifying offer for next season. If Sandoval enters free agency and signs with another team, the Giants will be compensated with a draft pick.
Sandoval has until Nov. 10 to accept or decline the qualifying offer. According to multiple reports, Sandoval is expected to reject the offer.
Sandoval, 28, hit .279 in the regular season with 16 home runs and 73 RBIs. In seven seasons with the Giants, Sandoval has belted 106 homers and driven in 462 runs.
But it is in the postseason where Sandoval has stood out as the Giants have won three World Series titles in the past five years. He has a .344 batting average in the postseason and compiled six homers and 20 RBIs in 39 games. In Game 1 of the 2012 World Series against the Tigers, he became the first player in baseball history to homer in his first three at-bats in a World Series game.
Sandoval reportedly is seeking a contract in the five-year, $90 million range.
While the Giants were sure to offer Sandoval, they did not extend offers to their other free agents: starting pitchers Jake Peavy and Ryan Vogelsong, reliever Sergio Romo and outfielder Michael Morse.
