"They owe it to their fans", baseball agent Jay Alou told Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News. The Phillies most certainly do. Signing free agent outfielder Yasmany Tomas would not only be the addition of one young piece that would change the mood of the Philadelphia fanbase and the clubhouse, but would also give the Phillies important trade leverage from one of their own right-handed bats, Marlon Byrd.
The teams in on Yasmany Tomas reportedly include the San Francisco Giants, the San Diego Padres, the Kansas City Royals, and an unknown fourth team. They all seem to be in search of one thing: a right-handed bat.
The San Francisco Giants could be using Tomas as leverage for free agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval. Some reports suggested that Tomas could play third base for the San Francisco Giants, who face competition from the Boston Red Sox for Sandoval's services. The Giants are set to lose Michael Morse to free agency and out of need plugged Travis Ishikawa in left field last season. Angel Pagan is returning from injury, but the Giants could spend some of their World Series cash on Tomas anyway.
The Kansas City Royals also worked out Tomas, and here he is in full Royals uniform yesterday, courtesy of Royals employee Bryce Perry:
Yasmany Tomas wearing #Royals gear? pic.twitter.com/ynFd8Ed9CT
— Bryce Perry (@BPerryKC) November 14, 2014
The Royals need to replace Billy Butler's right-handed bat and Nori Aoki's left-handed bat. They could use Tomas' right-handed bat in right field and find a left-handed designated hitter.
The San Diego Padres are like the Phillies: not much talent around these days and another rebuild on the way. The one difference is that this is going to be new General Manager A.J. Preller's first offseason in San Diego. He will want to add young, impact talent, and Tomas is the best way to do so at the moment. If he has any money to spend, he will want to do so in a way that will excite the fans of San Diego and put himself on the GM map.
If the Phillies lose out on Tomas, that may eliminate a potential suitor for Marlon Byrd. It is not that Byrd would interest just these teams competing for Tomas, but the Padres are not likely to want Byrd for what they would want Tomas for. The Royals need a right-handed outfielder and could be a trade match with the Phillies. But, there are also other options available right now.
Torii Hunter is a free agent right-handed bat could come at a similar salary but not require giving up prospects in a trade. Also available: Alex Rios, Ryan Ludwick, Josh Willingham, Billy Butler (for teams whom the right-handed bat can be put at first base or DH), and Nelson Cruz, if you're willing to spend some money.
The St. Louis Cardinals (may Oscar Tavares rest in peace) and the Cincinnati Reds both are teams in search of of a right-handed bat for their outfield. With a handful of options, the Phillies better sign Tomas to keep a market for Byrd this offseason. If Tomas went to the Royals, it would kill the Phillies' fans excitement and kill a trade partner for Byrd. Alou is right: the Phillies owe it to their fans.
