Pablo Sandoval 'left more money out there' to sign with Red Sox

Pablo Sandoval earned the adoration of legions of fans throughout his seven seasons in San Francisco, but the paunchy third baseman admitted Tuesday that he didn't re-engage with the Giants after he received a five-year, $95-million contract offer from the Boston Red Sox earlier this offseason.

"I left more money out there," Sandoval told MLB Network Radio. "I didn't let the Giants make the final offer. I just wanted to get out and try new things, try a new challenge. I just want to be a part of a new challenge."

Sandoval lauded the other additions made this winter by Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington, who also signed Hanley Ramirez to a four-year, $88-million contract in November.

"I think they did a great job putting the offense together, trying to get more patient," Sandoval said. "Hanley's doing very good, moving from shortstop to left, to see opportunity to have more guys in there. We can do more damage on offense."

The Red Sox finished fifth in the American League East last season, but that didn't diminish Sandoval's hubris as he predicted who would secure the division crown in 2015.

"We will."