Report: Royals showing interest in Sandoval

If Pablo Sandoval doesn't end up going back to San Francisco, it looks as though he's got at least one other option to fall back on.

While the Giants are reportedly hoping to finalize Sandoval's return to the organization on Friday, the Kansas City Royals are also apparently showing interest in the third baseman, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.

Heyman notes that other teams besides Kansas City and San Francisco may also have some interest, though no additional clubs were named. Any club that signs Sandoval would only be responsible for that contract, which is likely to be of the minor-league variety, with the Boston Red Sox covering all of the $48.66-million left on his five-year contract.

Sandoval was released by Boston on Wednesday, five days after the club designated him for assignment; he can't officially sign with any team until later Friday, however, as he must clear release waivers first before officially becoming a free agent - something that's expected to happen with ease.

It's widely thought that Sandoval, who turns 31 on Aug. 11, will return to the Giants on a minor-league contract; general manager Bobby Evans added to the speculation Wednesday when he said the team would be open to a reunion despite his messy exit in 2014.

A report saying Sandoval had agreed to rejoin the Giants was quickly refuted by Sandoval Wednesday night, however, when he stated that the Giants "are one of my options" and that he planned to make a decision Friday.

Sandoval has a little bit of history with the Royals, having played against them in the 2014 World Series. He caught Salvador Perez's pop-up at Kauffman Stadium to clinch the Giants' third championship in six years.