Pablo Sandoval will be introduced as the Red Sox’ new third baseman on Tuesday. Across the country, the Padres will continue their exhaustive search for offense.

In agreeing Monday to a five-year, $95 million deal, Sandoval ended his free agency by choosing Boston over San Francisco, where he won three World Series titles, and San Diego, a surprise finalist for his services.

Sandoval, the top third baseman on the market, declined an unprecedented Padres bid of more than $100 million, according to a source. The offer was for “more than five years,” though it was unclear by how much. No option was included.

While higher in overall value, such a proposal likely would have carried a lower annual average than the Red Sox’ or the Giants’ -- also five years and $95 million. Both of those offers contained a sixth-year option, a source said.


To sign Sandoval, who rejected a qualifying offer from the Giants, the Padres would have had to give up their top draft pick, 13th overall, in 2015.

“From our standpoint, you go to a point that you feel like you put a respectful offer on the table and the point the organization feels comfortable with, and you hope the player sees it that way,” Padres General Manager A.J. Preller said Monday night.

Of the 28-year-old Sandoval, he said, “We thought he’s a good fit as far as a switch-hitting bat, can play in the infield, and the big spot and big moment doesn’t bother him.

“But you have to be prepared that, at the end of the day, he has other options he may take. We took a good run, and now we have to move on to other options.”


The Padres can now focus their attention on Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas, the top power source on a thin market. Over the weekend, Preller met with Tomas’ agent, Jay Alou, in the Dominican Republic -- this after making his case to Sandoval on Friday in Miami.

Widely viewed as a frontrunner for Tomas, the Padres have maintained steady contact with Alou since his client was declared a free agent Oct. 2. According to baseball analyst Peter Gammons, the Padres, Giants and Braves have made offers to the 24-year-old, who is believed to be seeking a deal exceeding the $72.5 million the Red Sox gave outfielder Rusney Castillo.

Preller declined to confirm that report, but he said, “We have interest and still maintain interest in Yasmany. In general, the offseason can go a lot of different ways. We’re still in the process of looking at everything. As signings go off the board, it becomes a whole different market.”

Monday, Sandoval’s decision came into clearer focus with news that the Red Sox and former Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez, arguably the top free-agent hitter, had agreed to a four-year, $88 million deal with a vesting option for a fifth season.


“We’re all for talented opponents leaving the NL West,” Preller joked.

Meanwhile, the Padres look to bring in talent, preferably of the middle-of-the-order variety. Should they miss out on Tomas as well, they may dive into the trade market, though that would require surrendering one, if not more, of their pitchers. At the moment, the Padres prefer to keep top starters Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross.

But Preller will continue to sift through dozens of potential options. In the last few days, the Padres have been linked to Reds outfielder Jay Bruce and Braves slugger Justin Upton, among others. And with Sandoval and Ramirez heading east, the Red Sox have a surplus of young hitters.

Padres ownership has yet to disclose a target payroll for 2015, though executive chairman Ron Fowler has said Preller will have “flexibility” over the offseason. The offer to Sandoval dwarfed the largest contract in franchise history, Jake Peavy’s three-year, $52 million extension in 2007.


“They’ve been extremely supportive,” Preller said. “If we feel like it’s a good baseball decision, we can pretty much explore any situation. We’re not looking to get any awards for pursuing players, just doing our due diligence. If it’s something that makes sense, we’re going to add to the team.”