Rumors: Yasmani Tomas Draws Interest From The Kansas City Royals
By Joel Wagler
Yasmani Tomas, a young Cuban right fielder, is drawing interest from several teams, including the Kansas City Royals. There is a big hole in the Royals’ roster right now. They need a bat to replace Billy Butler, and an everyday right fielder.
Tomas is just turned 24, and according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, may cost a team a 7-year contract and close to $100 million.
"The expectation is Tomas will exceed the $72.5 million record for a Cuban player that Boston gave Rusney Castillo in a seven-year contract. The Royals are leery if they could win the bidding against teams such as the Phillies, especially if the dollar figure reaches $100 million or more."
That is a very step price to pay for the Royals. Still, Tomas could provide the long-term right fielder the Royals have lacked for decades. According to Sherman, the Royals see him as a middle of the order bat.
"Tomas, in particular, intrigues the Royals. They need a right fielder. In the best of all worlds, the right fielder would hit in the middle of the order."
Sherman also mentions that Yasmani Tomas may be just an average fielder. If he is complimented by Alex Gordon and Lorenzo Cain, that might not be as big of a deal. The Royals could also replace him late in games with Jarrod Dyson, if Tomas turns out to be below average in right.
More from Kansas City Royals
- This Plus-Money Bobby Witt Jr. Prop Bet is on Fire (Hit in 15/21 Games)!
- The Royals Need to Extend Bobby Witt Jr. Immediately
- DraftKings + FanDuel Kansas Promos: INSTANT $150 Bonus Plus Two Chances to Win!
- 3 Royals Players Who Won’t Be on the Roster Next Year
- LAST CHANCE to Claim $250 GUARANTEED Bonus With FanDuel and DraftKings Kansas Promos!
For Royals fans, signing a young potential star like Yasmani Tomas is an intriguing option. While not as established as a player like Melky Cabrera, Tomas’ upside is infinitely higher at this point in their careers, and getting a sought after player like Tomas, signed to a long-term deal, could solidify the Royals line-up for several seasons.
The Royals need to be aggressive this off-season. The worst thing they could do is to sit back and hope 2014 will be repeated. They still have a long history of terrible teams, and while the magical post season was an incredible ride, this roster is by no means a lock to repeat, especially with losses like James Shields and Billy Butler.
If the Royals can lock down a legitimate number two pitcher, and a better than average bat, they could indeed make another push for the American League Central. The Detroit Tigers are still looming, and the Royals have to improve to have a chance at unseating them as the division’s best team.
Of course, Cuban Jose Abreau just won the AL Rookie of the Year, but he is three years older, and a more polished hitter. Don’t expect Tomas to perform like Abreau right away.
Stay tuned for more Royals rumors.