Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas has finally joined the MLB since being cleared by the United States government in September. He signed a six-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Although it was speculated Tomas would not sign with a team until at least the MLB Winter Meetings, which take place from December 7-11, the Cuban slugger inked a six-year, $68.5 million contract with the D-Backs on Wednesday. Earlier today it was noted Arizona had become a serious suitor for Tomas.
According to MLB sources, the contract is pending a physical and has an opt-out clause after the fourth year. The Diamondbacks haven't confirmed the signing, but it is expected Tomas will play right field and Mark Trumbo will shift over to left. The 24-year-old provides another middle-of-the-order bat to join Paul Goldschmidt and Trumbo.
This comes as a surprise because the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants were also pushing hard for Tomas. Additionally, many predicted he would land a deal in the $100 million range, or at least exceed the contract given to fellow Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo (seven-year, $72.5 million deal) by the Boston Red Sox in August. He pretty much matched the deal given to White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu last offseason.
Tomas left Cuba in June, arrived in Haiti and established residency there. This seems to be the case among recent defectors, including second baseman Yoan Moncada, who fled Guatemala and resided there. After spending time in Haiti, Tomas was cleared by the U.S. Dept. of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control and was ultimately declared a free agent by Major League Baseball, according to MLB.com.
On top of playing five seasons for the Havana Industriales in Cuba's Serie Nacional, Tomas was part of the Cuban team during the 2013 World Baseball Classic, during which he batted .375 (6-for-16) with two home runs and five RBIs. He's expected to make an immediate impact in the MLB and his debut is highly anticipated because his agent said he has more power than Jose Abreu. The reigning AL Rookie of the Year belted 36 home runs and 107 RBIs in 2014.
Tomas will likely join offseason baseball workouts with the Diamondbacks as soon as he can.
