Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants slides into third base in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals during Game 7 of the 2014 World Series at Kauffman Stadium on October 29, 2014 in Kansas City.Elsa/Getty Images
Free agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a multi-year contract, a person with knowledge of the deal said.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the Red Sox had not announced the agreement.
Sandoval, the 2012 World Series MVP with San Francisco, was pondering an offer from the Giants worth close to $100-million over five years, two people with knowledge of that proposal said, also speaking on condition of anonymity because no deal had been announced.
Sandoval, 28, met with the Red Sox last week. After winning his third World Series title in five years with San Francisco, he indicated he wanted to retire with the Giants.
CBS Sports first reported the agreement.
Sandoval would join a big-spending Boston team that finished last in the AL East, one year after winning the World Series. The Red Sox would not forfeit the No. 7 overall pick in June's amateur draft but would give up a later selection.
San Francisco would receive an extra pick between the first and second rounds.
The Giants said they were in touch Monday morning with Sandoval's agent, Gustavo Vasquez, who told the club Sandoval would make a decision Monday. Vasquez has not returned calls or e-mails regarding the Sandoval negotiations.
Following the Oct. 31 victory parade, Sandoval said he wanted to play the rest of his career for the Giants.
The switch-hitting "Kung Fu Panda" hit .279 with 16 homers and 73 RBIs in 157 regular-season games for the Giants and .366 in the post-season with seven doubles and five RBIs, four during the World Series against Kansas City.
"I want to wear that jersey for the rest of my career," Sandoval said after the Oct. 31 victory parade. "I'm going to go from what my heart tells me."
Having the chance to eventually become a designated hitter could have factored into his choice.
After the season, Sandoval declined to answer when asked whether he might accept a hometown discount. He has faced constant criticism about his ever-changing waistline and the fact he performs in the post-season but is far from a consistent performer in the first 162 games.
"I'd love to be back here, I love the fans, I love my teammates," Sandoval said. "They taught me a lot of things, to respect the game and play the game right."
Sandoval and the Giants traded offers in the spring but failed to reach a deal.
General manager Brian Sabean said earlier this month much of his off-season business would be dictated by what the club does with Sandoval. Other free agents are starting pitchers Jake Peavy and Ryan Vogelsong, reliever Sergio Romo and left fielder Michael Morse.
The Giants now are likely to show interest in free agent third baseman Chase Headley. Sabean said when the season ended that Sandoval was the No. 1 priority before anything else got done to build the 2015 roster.
Headley, acquired by the Yankees from San Diego in July, could be an option to take over from Alex Rodriguez as the primary third baseman if New York is able to re-sign him.