Over the next few weeks, we will take a look at free agents and trade candidates who, given the organization's direction, could fit with the Phillies in 2015 and beyond.
The series begins today with highly touted Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas:
On record as saying they have entered a rebuilding phase that could keep them from contending for a couple more seasons, the Phillies have a clear idea of the type of player they will look to add this winter.
Older free agents who would require long-term contracts are out.
Older free agents who would come on short-term deals and bridge the rebuilding process — see Grady Sizemore and Jerome Williams (both signed one-year deals) — are in.
Young players are definitely in as this team looks to transition away from an aging core.
Outfield help is a big need. So is a power bat in the middle of the lineup as the team looks to move on from Ryan Howard and push Chase Utley to the second spot in the batting order.
MLB
This roadmap seems to point directly to Cuban defector Yasmany Tomas, the power-hitting outfielder who, come springtime, is expected to be in the middle of the batting order for some big-league club.
Many industry insiders believe that team will be the Phillies — for a lot of reasons.
Tomas, who will turn 24 later this month, is young and would fit as a building block with the rebuilding Phillies. He is a corner outfielder who could become the team’s leftfielder in April. The Phils are looking to upgrade that position as Domonic Brown appears to have plateaued, and there is very little in the minors in terms of outfield help.
Tomas has a burly 6-1, 230-pound build and is not considered a top defensive outfielder. Some observers believe he would be better suited for the American League, where he could be a designated hitter. Others believe he could play passable defense in the National League.
Another big reason that insiders peg the Phillies as a leader for Tomas' services is money. The Phillies are a deep-pocketed club who have ranked in the top three in major-league payroll each of the last four seasons. They could afford Tomas' $100 million price tag. The question remains, however, is Tomas worth that much? It is a question a number of teams, including the Phillies, Padres, Giants, Rangers, Mets and Tigers, are pondering.
Phillies scouts have eyed Tomas for years in international competition. The team pursued Rusney Castillo, another Cuban free-agent outfielder, last summer, but did not do so as aggressively as other clubs. (Castillo eventually signed with Boston for seven years and $72.5 million.) Word is the Phillies favored Tomas over Castillo and were waiting for him to be declared a free agent.
The Phillies' attraction to Tomas was affirmed when they became the first team to hold a private workout for him in September. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. traveled to the Dominican Republic to watch that workout with a group of the team's scouts and executives.
Amaro has admitted to having talks with Tomas' representation, but is otherwise tight-lipped.
“We don't discuss free agents,” Amaro said. “We've seen him. We know about him. I've had dialogue with his agent. I'm not going to qualify or quantify it.”
The calendar has turned to November and baseball's offseason is about to heat up. Tomas is a hot commodity and he won’t be out there long. Will he be a Phillie? Stay tuned.