The Diamondbacks and free-agent outfielder Yasmany Tomas have agreed on a six-year $68.5 million deal, according to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com.
Yasmany Tomas reportedly signs with Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks are the first mystery team of the offseason, reportedly agreeing to a six-year, $68.5 million contract for Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas.
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The 24-year-old hit .290 and slugged .504 over the past five seasons in Cuba, exhibiting power that is better than that of White Sox phenom and American League Rookie of the Year Jose Abreu, Tomas' agent recently said. The Phillies, Athletics, Giants, Royals, Dodgers, Padres, Orioles and Mariners were all in on Tomas to some degree, per reports.
“I have expectations of myself and what I want to do in my career,” Tomas told Sanchez in September. “I’ve played in Cuba, around the world and in the World Baseball Classic against tough competition. This is a new challenge, but I look forward to that. I might be a little nervous in my first at-bat, but it’s still baseball. I’ll do the best and I plan on showing the scouts who I am.”
Because he is older than 23 and has five years experience in a professional league, the Serie Nacional in Cuba, Tomas is not subject to international bonus pool limits, making him more like a true free agent.
Tomas’ contract compares favorably to those signed by recent Cuban stars - $68 million over six years for Abreu, $72.5 million over seven years for Red Sox outfielder Rusney Castillo, and $42 million for seven years for Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig.
Tomas previously turned down an eight-year deal from an unknown team in an effort to re-test the free agent market before he reaches his 30s, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman.
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