Pablo Sandoval Looking for $100 Million Contract

Apr 22, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) runs after a double in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports is reporting today that Pablo Sandoval is looking for a five-year, $100 million contract from the San Francisco Giants, or probably any other team willing to pay him big bucks. The Panda has done lost his damn mind.

"Neither side will discuss the particulars of the offers and counteroffers, but word is Sandoval is seeking at least $100 million on a five-year deal, which shouldn’t come as a shock considering his age (27), a market lacking in big punch (among players in their prime, Chase Headley may be the closest thing to Sandoval, and he isn’t the player Panda is) and a terrific talent that’s seen him twice make All-Star teams, twice receive MVP votes and twice exceed a .900 OPS despite not always being in peak shape (just a great, great hitter,” one competing executive called him).The Giants, meanwhile, are said by a source to have bumped a previously reported a conversation-starting $40-million, three-year offer this spring and at least expressed a willingness to do something along the lines of four years plus an option."

Wow. That’s all I can say is, wow. Don’t get me wrong. I believe Panda could definitely be worth $100M or more over five years. But I also believe it’s a risk. If Pablo was playing somewhat near the potential that we all know he has, on a consistent basis, I’d really not have too much problems with giving him his payday. I don’t think Brian Sabean would either.

The problem I have is that he’s hitting .165 this season. For $100M, I think most people expect far above that batting average. Sure, he’s a career .295 hitter, and chances are, he’ll probably get out of this slump and hit near that. But if I was Sandoval, I’d focus less on how much money to ask for and more on upping my production at the plate this season. Come July and he’s back to that .295 average, I’d say start the talks over and see how close you can get up until the end of the season.

He’s absolutely, no-way, going to get $100M in a middle of one of the worst slumps of his career. It seems Sabean agrees as he’s quoted by Heyman here:

"But Sabean also said in that CSN interview that they are “probably at the end of the rope” with talks."

What do you think of Sandoval’s money demands?

(h/t to @KennedyMLB)