While the Phillies' connection to free agent outfielder Yasmany Tomas has been long speculated, a new report suggests some traction between the two sides. The 24 year-old Cuban player will sign a big deal with a major league team in the near future; the Phillies have been thought to be "favorites", but until now there has been little definitive news. Today, Tomas' agent spoke and the Phillies are indeed involved.
Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News reports that Tomas' agent Jay Alou said that he and the Phillies are “still talking" about Tomas, and revealed that the Phillies have been very much involved in the process:
According to Alou, the Phillies have seen Tomas in person three times. There was a formal workout for all interested teams in September, then the Phillies saw him two other times, including when Amaro himself flew to the Dominican Republic where the Phillies had their own private workout with the outfielder in late September.
Does that mean the Phillies are going to make an offer? Alou expects that the Phillies will:
Alou wouldn’t comment on whether other teams have made formal offers to his client. But he does expect an official offer from the Phillies before long.
“I mean, they owe it to the fans, right?” Alou said. “It’s going to all get going here soon.”
The Phillies would indeed get make their fans happy by adding a young talent like Tomas.
Today is the first day of the three-day general manager meetings at Phoenix and Alou is there to talk to teams. The Phillies have been the center of some early trade rumors and news regarding pitcher Cole Hamels thus far, but the team has yet to make a move. While they may not make a move at the meetings, the Phillies very well could lay the groundwork necessary for a deal at a later time.
