Yasmani Tomas is more than just a 23 year old, 6 foot 1 inch, 230 pound, right-handed, power-hitting outfielder MLB Free Agent from Cuba. He is the potential starting point and answer to the world of problems the Philadelphia Phillies are facing heading into the 2015 season. The Cuban defector has all eyes on him this off-season. All of Major League Baseball will be watching to see where he will lands, but it will be a pretty penny to do so, due to the potential $100 Million dollar plus price tag that could be attached with the slugger.
The Phillies won the World Series in 2008 and not only the fan base, but the experts predicted this nucleus of power hitters could've quite possibly been a dynasty. The Phillies managed to return to the WS in 2009, but came up short to the Yankees and each year the Phillies would take a step backwards leading to the 2014 NL East basement. The Phillies Front Office went on to focus more on pitching than hitting. In the long run bad trades/signings, age, and injuries went to demolish the championship team, but as bad as it is at this point the Phillies can right their wrongs with one move.
To be clear, this is not the only move they need to make, but could shape how the team performs moving forward for years to come. Howard Eskin, of Fox29 and 94 WIP, has reported that part-owner Cigar-Billionaire John Middleton has made the moves to take majority ownership from the ever-so loyal David Montgomery but still waiting on official word from the team which we may not hear from for a while. Though the Phillies yesterday officially named former Atlanta Braves Head of International Scouting Johnny Almaraz the Head of Amateur Scouting. With an owner who wants to come in and spend money to win, plus a new direction in scouting from an organization who has scouted well in the past hopefully the Phillies pull the trigger on Tomas and take this team in a new direction.
There are Pros and Cons into making a deal for Yasmani Tomas, but in my mind the Pros outweigh the cons, which I will start with the cons first. Remember Miguel-Alfredo Gonzalez? He was one of these Cuban defectors that the Phillies almost spent $60 Million on, but after the Phils finally found the injury reports on him that number was reduced to $12 Million. After being scouted by multiple teams to be a potential top-half starting pitcher, MAG has fallen to a relief pitcher who has not seen the Major Leagues yet. The Phillies took a stab at now Chicago White Sox OF Jose Abreu but would only try him out at Third Base, which was not a strong point for him, so they passed. Abreu most likely will be the AL rookie of the year and the Phillies instead have a not-so stellar outfield that should overall be ranked last in most categories hitting and fielding, but with a new scouting staff there should be better scouting. Also, the Phillies had a $180 million dollar this past season, which does not seem to be decreasing anytime soon with the contracts distributed to players who are past their prime's.
But here's the good news. When Eskin reported the possibility of Middleton stepping in, he did also report if this comes to light than first basemen Ryan Howard's remaining $60 Million dollars of his contract would be bought out and Cole Hamels could possibly be traded before the upcoming 2015 season, which would hopefully free-up some money to bring in Tomas. The Phillies need a new face of the franchise and Tomas could do so, even at a steep price. The move is more than just an on-the-field move. The signing of Yasmani Tomas would show the Phillies fan they are serious and want to win and not just stay relevant with 30k fans, when a good team would bring in sell-out crowds. A couple years ago Free Agents wanted to come to Philadelphia to put on the Red and White, but with the decline in performance Free Agents have shied away. To be on a team with a restocked farm system and a potential Abreu-Puig type star could definitely change the way the Phillies are looked at as an organization. Did I forget to mention the Multi-Billion dollar deal the Phillies have with Comast? The money will be rolling in come the end of the 2015 season.
Bottom Line: If the Philadelphia Philies want to show they are serious in returning to contention and an eventual World Series title they will do what it takes to bring Yasmani Tomas to Philadlephia whether boom or bust. They need to take the risk and show they are committed to winning because as of now they are the laughing stock of Major League Baseball.
By: Marc Tomasini (@PhillySportsSrc on Twitter)
