MLB Rumors: Pablo Sandoval wants $100 million contract extension

The San Francisco Giants are known for locking up their best players to long term deals. They might have a desire to do the same with third baseman Pablo Sandoval, but it sounds like such a deal is becoming less and less likely to get done.

There was little momentum in talks to get a deal done before the season started. The Giants then made the decision to table talks with the third baseman earlier this month because the two sides were at an “impasse.” As for the cause of said impasse, a report this weekend from Jon Heyman of CBS seems to shed some light on the main issue.

That issue, not surprisingly, is money. Specifically it is the fact that Sandoval wants a lot of it, like $100 million of it, in an extension:

"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 has 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).”"

That blanket presentation of his numbers makes him seem worthy of such a lucrative deal, but there are other factors with Sandoval. Concerns about his weight and his fatigue in the final months of certain seasons still loom. It is reasonable for the Giants to wonder how well that body-type will age and whether or not Sandoval’s production still justifies such a huge deal.

It should be interesting to see how things develop, though it sounds like there will not be any changes in the situation anytime soon.