Here is the story I filed for the early editions of Monday’s paper, with a very telling comment from Pablo Sandoval’s agent:

By Henry Schulman

Scottsdale, Ariz. – Giants president Larry Baer will have to write a different speech for Friday’s annual Play Ball lunch, because a Pablo Sandoval contract extension does not look like part of the script.

The two sides have been talking, but the distance between them is the equivalent of that long throw to first from behind the bag at third.

Sandoval’s representative told the Giants on Saturday that Sandoval wants at least five years at $90 million – the Hunter Pence deal – in an extension with the Giants that would preclude him from becoming a free agent after 2014. Again, Sandoval’s side sees that as a starting point.

Meanwhile, the Giants offered a three-year deal for about $40 million that Sandoval’s agent, Gustavo Vazquez, rejected out of hand.

“It’s crazy,” said Vazquez, who met with the Giants in person here Saturday and believes the 2012 World Series MVP is worth much more.

Given Sandoval’s fluctuating weight and performance during his five-plus seasons as a Giant, the club is not inclined to give him Pence money. Also, another contract that huge would require a lot of discussion among all parties within the walls of 24 Willie Mays Plaza.

While an extension before Opening Day is not impossible, it might be too complicated to execute, especially before Friday’s Play Ball lunch in San Francisco. The Giants made a big splash at each of the past two lunches by announcing the rich Matt Cain and Buster Posey extensions.

Vazquez said Sandoval’s weight issues “are in the past” and should not play into the talks.

“His weight is going to be perfect,” Vazquez said. “He’s going to have a trainer 24 hours a day, seven days a week – not just this year, not just two months,” Vazquez said. “If we don’t get the contract we want, we’ll wait (until free agency).”

The looming question is whether Sandoval will draw a line in the sand and set a deadline for an extension. He and Vazquez planned to discuss that after Sunday’s game.

When Sandoval left in the sixth inning, he had no comment and said he does not even want to hear a play-by-play of the talks.

“I’m just going to play my game. That’s it,” he said.

The Giants could find themselves in a box with Sandoval, wanting to see how he performs in his contract year, as they did with Pence in 2013, but knowing their in-house and free-agent options for replacing him after 2014 are not attractive.

General manager Brian Sabean said before spring training he was open to an extension based on what Sandoval looked like in in the games here, because of all the work he did over the winter to get into shape.

Sandoval has looked good here, but if he wants Pence money he might have to repeat the Pence experience from from 2013.

The club denied Pence’s pre-season request for an extension, preferring to see how he performed for a full year as a Giant. He responded with a huge performance and was rewarded with the five-year, $90 million deal, signed on the penultimate day of the season.