Report: Blue Jays 'in the mix' for Pablo Sandoval

Pablo Sandoval is expected to entertain contract offers from both the Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants as he inches closer to choosing a new club. However, the Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly also in the mix for the 28-year-old free agent, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

The Blue Jays are expected to extend a contract offer to Sandoval before Friday, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. This news comes mere days after signing catcher Russell Martin to a five-year, $82-million deal - the biggest contract handed out since Alex Anthopoulos took over as general manager in 2009.

Despite their recent acquisition, however, the club may have trouble luring Sandoval to Toronto. An organizational policy not to offer contracts longer than five years could hamper the club's chances of signing the two-time All-Star. Sandoval is reportedly seeking a six-year deal, and Rosenthal speculates the Blue Jays may have to overpay to convince Sandoval to join a team that hasn't made the postseason since 1993.

The Blue Jays have committed $109 million to their 2015 payroll before calculating arbitration raises - a hardly insubstantial decrease from last year's $137-million tag - and may be able to make Sandoval a competitive offer if the contract is backloaded.