Bay Area Buzz 11/8: Pablo Sandoval, Raiders/San Antonio, Kings Win Again
Bay Area Topics
Pablo Sandoval
"The World Series is over, and the Boston Red Sox are meeting with the man who caught the last out to make sure he returns to the series next year in their uniform.Pablo Sandoval wasn’t the World Series MVP of the San Francisco Giants run to another title, but as free agency opens in baseball he’s a name that many teams are keeping an eye on.One team paying particular attention to Sandoval are the Boston Red Sox, who want an upgrade at third base but also want another slugger in the lineup. That’s where the interest in Sandoval is coming from and it’s a major reason why the team is meeting with him next week to try and work out a contract.…Pablo Sandoval already rejected a one-year offer from the Giants that would have paid out just over $15 million next season, as he’s seeking a six-year deal instead. It would seem likely that a team in the American League would be more willing to reach that length of contract since Sandoval could be converted to a DH if he starts to trail off defensively."
Raiders/San Antonio
"The Oakland Raiders won’t move to San Antonio despite showing interest in doing so, reports Jason Cole of Bleacher Report.According to the report, the Raiders have been discussing the option with San Antonio officials merely to develop leverage for a possible move to Los Angeles or securing a new lease at the Coliseum in Oakland. The team’s current lease at the venue expires at the end of the season."
Kings Win Again
"Well, if that one doesn’t get you excited, you may not have a pulse.The Sacramento Kings entered Phoenix on Friday riding a rare four-game win streak. With the Isaiah Thomas storyline as the backdrop, the Kings sputtered out of the gate, with sloppy ball-handling and tough Suns defense capping Sacramento’s offense. The Suns shot out to an early double-digit lead.And Sacramento fought back. It was a recurring theme for the Kings, full of determination and chemistry.At many times in Friday night’s game, it appeared the Kings were dead in the water. The Suns, who relied heavily on their quick guards not named Isaiah, took a 94-83 lead with just 7:28 left. The Kings response? An 11-0 run over the next 3 minutes to knot things up.With a chance to steal victory, holding possession in a tie game with 38 seconds left in regulation, a simple inbound play to DeMarcus Cousins (35 MIN, 25 PTS, 6-14 FG, 13-14 FT, 18 REB, 2 BLK) turned into a bogus illegal screen call. Not only did that turn the ball over to Phoenix, it was also DeMarcus’ sixth and final foul.And that’s where we first got to see just how far this Kings team has grown.Not one single head was hanging in the ensuing timeout. With Cousins, who just fouled out, leading the way, several Kings could be seen clapping, encouraging each other. It was actually Cousins who was calming down Coach Michael Malone. These aren’t last year’s Sacramento Kings. This team wouldn’t be brought down by one unfortunate possession."