Cuban outfielder Yasmani Tomas held a showcase in the Dominican Republic for nearly 200 MLB scouts on September 21 and has reportedly conducted private workouts with the Phillies and Rangers. His move to the MLB is imminent, but where will he land?
According to George A. King III of the New York Post, Tomas has a $75 million offer on the table from an undisclosed team. That would be the largest contract for a Cuban defector, besting Rusney Castillo's $72.5 million offer from the Boston Red Sox. It's likely either Philadelphia or Texas presented Tomas with the contract because it's doubtful the other front-running interested teams - Giants, Marlins, Padres and Tigers - did so without having him in for a private workout.
The Yankees, Mets and Red Sox were initially interested in Tomas, but they might be on the outside looking in at this point. The Yankees aren't expected to offer the slugger such a large contract because it's believed the front office will not go on another spending spree this offseason, and if they opt to spend big money, signs point to it being a perennial starting pitcher; Matthew Cerrone of Metsblog.com says the Mets aren't expected to keep up with the bidding for Tomas, which is expected to reach $100 million and; it was reported on Tuesday that the Red Sox will not conduct a private workout for Tomas and probably won't make a push for him because of their crowded outfield and concerns over his strikeout rate.
Philadelphia, San Francisco and Detroit could end up being the final three teams fighting for Tomas' services because they all missed out on Rusney Castillo after the Red Sox swooped in with a lucrative seven-year contract. But based on reports it seems as if Philadelphia is the most interested because of their aging lineup and lack of power. They're also in dire need of a power bat in the outfield because Dominic Brown had only 10 home runs this year and the team has been discussing trades for Marlon Byrd ever since weeks before the July 31 deadline.
Contract talks with Tomas should heat up after the postseason, as the Giants and Tigers will be able to focus their efforts on acquiring him after their playoff runs end. But don't rule out the Rangers or Marlins either: Texas needs to rebound after their worst season since 1994 and Miami might not be able to retain Giancarlo Stanton after next season, so they might be looking to solve that issue before it becomes one.
You can read more about Yasmani Tomas in this MLB.com article.
