Pablo Sandoval To Red Sox: What Is Next for the San Francisco Giants?

Many rumors flared throughout the day as to where Pablo Sandoval would sign this offseason, but the third baseman ultimately chose to sign with the Boston Red Sox over his original team, the San Francisco Giants.

He will sign for roughly $100 million over the course of five years with the Red Sox, pending a physical. Both the Giants and Red Sox offered the same money, and despite the Giants throwing in an option for a sixth year, Sandoval still chose to go with Boston.

With Sandoval leaving for Boston, the Giants must now look into either signing a new third baseman or giving Joaquin Arias the spot as their starting third baseman.

There are not many options in free agency for the Giants to go after. Three options that are left are Chase Headley of the New York Yankees, Alberto Callaspo of the Oakland Athletics and Jack Hannahan of the Cincinnati Reds. None of which adequately replace the offensive presence Sandoval brought to the team, but all are equal in defense.

Aug 6, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Chase Headley (12) is greeted by second baseman Stephen Drew (33) after hitting a home run to tie the game in fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Headley, the best option of the three, had quite the year with the Yankees and San Diego Padres last season, batting .243 with 13 home runs and 49 RBI’s. These number are a far from Sandoval’s .279 average with 16 home runs and 73 RBI’s but would fill the role as a starter.

Callaspo and Hannahan had forgettable seasons in 2014. Combined, the two players have four home runs and 41 RBI’s. Callaspo hit .223 with four home runs and 39 RBI’s, and Hannahan hit .188 with no home runs and two RBI’s.

So if the Giants can’t land Headley, then it would be best to just give Arias the job. Arias in 2014 had a decent batting average of .254 but had no home runs and just 15 RBI’s.

Another option for the Giants would to be go after the young Cuban prospect Yasmani Tomas. Although Tomas is primarily a left-fielder, the young slugger could provide the bat that the Giants need now that Sandoval is gone.

Tomas has played five seasons in Cuba with the Serie Nacional team. In his five seasons, he has had a batting average over .280 with at least 15 home runs. However, Tomas comes with a price, one that is of similar value in which Sandoval was offered.  Tomas has also drawn interest to not only the Giants but also the Padres and the Atlanta Braves, according to CBS Sports.

At this point, it is hard to say what the Giants will do this offseason now that they have lost their fan favorite in Sandoval. Many fans are upset or heartbroken by the news, but hopefully for those fans, the front office will find a way for us to forgive and forget Sandoval.