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Sandoval on Giants: 'I knew early in spring training last year I was going to leave'

Boston Globe / Getty

Pablo Sandoval is burning the Golden Gate Bridge down on his way out of San Francisco.

The former Giants' star decided to head east and sign with the Boston Red Sox this offseason after bringing a third World Series to the Bay Area and admitted that leaving the organization he'd spent his entire career with wasn't that difficult of a decision.

"Not hard at all," Pablo Sandoval told Scott Miller of Bleacher Report. "If you want me around, you make the effort to push and get me back."

Sandoval acknowledged that he knew before last season was underway that he'd be donning a new uniform for the 2015 campaign. 

"I knew early in spring training last year I was going to leave," Sandoval said. "They didn't respect my agent. Contract talks, everything. The way Brian Sabean (Giants general manager) talked to my agent."

With the realization that the two-time All-Star had his bags packed, the Giants put their best package forward in November. While the dollar figure was more than that of what the Red Sox offered, the damage had already been done. 

"The Giants made a good offer, but I didn't want to take it," Sandoval said. "I got five years (and $95 million) from Boston. I left money on the table in San Francisco.

"It is not about money. It is about how you treat the player."

Sandoval lauded the Red Sox's front office earlier this winter for their additions this offseason and appears quite comfortable in the clubhouse with Hanley Ramirez and David Ortiz. 

Despite spending over a decade with the Giants, Sandoval offered another shot at his former club, saying that there's only two people he was going to miss.

"Only (manager Bruce) Bochy," Sandoval said. "I love Boch. He's like my dad. He's the only guy that I miss. And Hunter Pence. Just those guys.

"But now, I feel like I'm home."

The Giants and Red Sox will not face each other this season, unless, of course, the two teams advance to the World Series.

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