Cuban Slugger Yasmani Tomas has attracted suitors from across MLB, including the Phillies and Giants
According to a post on MLB Network's Hot Stove blog, the Phillies seem to be reconsidering their chase of talented Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas.
Paul Hagen, who posted the story, notes that "[w]hile the Phils, who had a private workout with Tomas, still like his bat there are concerns about his defense. They now view him as more of a designated hitter-type player, the sources added. Of course, that thinking could change if the price for Tomas, once estimated to be as high as $100 million, begins to come down."
Hagen goes on to note that the Phillies are mainly focused on adding at least two more starting pitchers to their rotation.
It's hard to really fault the Phillies for trying to spend their money wisely, but I don't think many would be suprised if another team signed Tomas and he put up comprable numbers to White Sox slugger Jose Abreu, even if it takes some time for him to develop.
The need for starters is very real, with the departure of A.J. Burnett and question marks surrounding most of the current in-house options. Realistically, however, having two more solid pitchers won't be enough to save this team from mediocrity in 2015, and unless Tomas is really that bad on defense, there is something to be said about player development. It doesn't happen every day, granted, but players like the Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt have developed/willed themselves into passible, if not solid defenders.
Plus, this is a team that gave 473 at-bats to Domonic Brown in 2014, and with all due respect to Brown, I daresay that Tomas has a lot more potential in his bat to make up for it. Pat Burrell is an excellent case in point, though he had better defensive teammates around him to make up for it (but that's a rant for another day).
What do you guys think? Is this a smart, cautious move by the team? Or is this a big mistake on the Phillies' part?
