Pablo Sandoval will be available on the free agency market this offseason after rejecting the one-year, $15.3 million qualifying offer from the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night.

The Giants tendered the qualifying offer before Monday's deadline, but Sandoval was expected to reject the deal, knowing that he could get a lucrative contract from other teams after his performance during the Giants' title runs.

The 28-year-old helped the Giants win three World Series in four seasons, during which he batted .344 with six homeruns and 20 RBIs in 39 appearances. In 157 regular-season games last season, Sandoval averaged .279 at the plate with 16 home runs, 73 RBIs and a .739 OPS.

With Sandoval rejecting the qualifying offer, the Giants are entitled to receive a draft pick compensation from the team that would sign the veteran third baseman this offseason.

"We see him as a premium player," Giants general manager Bobby Evans said of Sandoval. "We'll see what the market will bear."

Sandoval, who spent his first seven seasons in the major leagues with the Giants, was reportedly offered a three-year, $40 million contract extension in March, but the Puerto Cabello, Venezuela native turned down the deal.

The third-baseman made it no secret that he wants to remain with the Giants, but he is reportedly looking for a deal near the $100-million range. With Sandoval hitting the open market, the seven-year veteran is expected to draw the interest of several big-market teams this offseason.

The New York Yankees were linked to Sandoval following the conclusion of the 2014 World Series since their third baseman Chase Headley is not under contract with them, and there are doubts on whether Alex Rodriguez could return strong next season -- if at all -- after serving his one-year suspension.

But according to Mark Feisand of NY Daily News, the Yankees aren't expected to make a strong push to sign Sandoval, along with other big-name free agents like pitchers Jon Lester and Max Scherzer.

Sources indicated that the Yankees are focused on keeping Headley, who played well for them since acquiring him in a trade with the San Diego Padres before the trade deadline last season, and starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy, who went 7-5 with 2.89 ERA in 14 starts.

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