If Not Hanley Ramirez, What About That Cuban Guy?

Yesterday I posted an article going over my ideas for the offseason. That post was done with only free agents in mind, as you can't predict trades. If the Yankees could make a deal for a better hitter at third base than Chase Headley, then I'd be okay with finding a better defender to play shortstop. The bottom line is that the team needs to do is improve the offense.

Now, I'm picturing numerous people yelling at their computer monitors, with the name "Pablo Sandoval" being said somewhere between all the spit. My response to Sandoval is two-fold...

Stop yelling and let me explain.

For starters, the Giants have a history of re-signing guys that are key to the team and the fans love. Look at Tim Lincecum, and his 2-year $35 million deal, as evidence.

Secondly, I don't trust the guy. I'll never fully believe a guy that's overweight is somebody you can count on for five or so years.

He's an extreme example, but Cecil Fielder garnered MVP votes from his age 26 season through his age 29 season. After that he not only didn't get a single MVP vote, he didn't appear in any All Star games, and he only had one more healthy season (1996, when he was traded to the Yankees). In fact, if it wasn't for being able to hit quite a few home runs between the ages of 30 and 33 (and by a "few" we're talking 28, 31, 39 and 26), he would have been a below replacement-level player.

Sandoval hasn't got as much power as Fielder did, doesn't get on base as much as Fielder did, and his batting average... while higher than Fielder's... is nothing to get excited over (.279 over the past two seasons).

Perhaps Chase Headley can improve on his last two seasons, and get closer to what he was 2012. But I'm not counting on that, and neither should the Yankees. They need to find a sure way to improve the offense first. And Hanley Ramirez seems to be that guy.

Unless, like I said in the introduction, the team could swing a trade. Or...

"You've got my attention. Now, this better be good."

If the Yankees could either void the remainder of Alex Rodriguez's contract, or decide to just release him, then that would open up the DH slot for Carlos Beltran. Then the Yankees could sign Headley for third base, find a better defender for shortstop, and improve the offense by adding a middle of the order bat in outfielder Yasmani Tomas.

At 24 years old Tomas has yet to reach his prime. Baseball America gave him a 70 out of 80 on the power scale, and go on to say he's a decent runner for his size. While Yasmani could jump right into MLB, BA went on to say that he may need to spend some time in AAA to get accustomed to things in MLB. If so, the Yankees would want to add a good 4th outfielder who could handle things for a couple months or so until they call up Tomas.

However, there would be risks. Tomas ran into an outfield wall last season, which resulted in him losing playing time during the second half of the Serie Nacional season. His power that season took a big hit, as he could only manage 6 home runs (he had 15 the year before). But the fact that he was able to continue to hit well (batting average at .290), along with a solid on-base percentage of .346, makes me think the power will return.

And due to all the hurdles Yasmani needs to jump through before even being eligible to sign a contract, such as gaining residency in another country and get an unblocking license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control, he may not be able to sign until well into 2015. At that point the other good options could be off the table.

Perhaps just signing Hanley Ramirez would be easier, but there are options rather than dealing with more sub-par defense from our shortstop. Let's hope Brian Cashman and Co. are smarter than I am.

Yankees Don't Have Interest In Yasmani Tomas

According to George King of the NY Post, the Yankees don't appear to have any interest in Yasmani Tomas.

Tomas is a 24 year-old outfielder who is the latest "big thing" to come to Major League Baseball from Cuba.

“He is a good player, but for $100 million? I don’t know... He is better than [Castillo], but that doesn’t mean he is worth $100 million."

Rusney Castillo, the last "big thing" from Cuba, was signed by the Boston Red Sox for 7 years and $72.5 million. Current Rookie of the Year favorite Jose Abreu was signed for $68 million, Yasiel Puig (who finished 2nd in 2013 ROY voting) was signed for $42 million, and new Red Sox slugger Yoenis Cespedes was signed for $32 million.

Even though taking a shot on Tomas may be prudent, there is one big problem with bringing him in... where does he play? The Yankees have Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner in two outfield spots, while the team is likely hoping Carlos Beltran can take the other so that Alex Rodriguez can be the designated hitter most of the time.

So even if the $100 million doesn't turn off New York, the fact that they don't have a true need for any outfielder could be the real issue.

Yankees To Attend Yasmani Tomas Showcase

The New York Yankees have already missed out on one Cuban defecting outfielder this season in Rusney Castillo and have missed out on many others including Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig. New York may not let another one get through their fingers and plan to attend the showcase for the latest and greatest out of Cuba, Yasmani Tomas. Tomas plans to work out in the Dominican Republic on Sunday and the Yankees will have multiple scouts in attendance according to George A. King III.

King believes the contract could go for as much as $100 million on a long term deal. For once New York is not expected to be heavily involved in the bidding nor are they the favorites going into this so that may be a good sign if you are a fan of the team signing Tomas.

Yasmani Tomas Cleared, Awaits Free Agency

The New York Yankees may have missed out on Rusney Castillo but that may be okay as Yasmani Tomas will presumably be a free agent after the 2014 season. Tomas is closer, projection wise, to the Yoenis Cespedes', Yasiel Puig's, and Jose Dariel Abreu's of the world than Castillo could ever dream about being. Could Tomas, and not Castillo, be the replacement for Ichiro Suzuki next season? Especially now that Tomas has been cleared by the United States and awaits free agency?

Tomas has already defected from his native Cuba and is trying to establish residency so he can become a free agent this winter. Tomas is 23 years old, to Castillo's 27 years old, and has played in parts of five seasons in the Cuban Serie Nacional making him exempt from the spending cap on International players, not that this will matter to the Yankees much after already breaking the bank in that department.

Tomas has spent time at both corner outfield spots, center field, first base, and third base in his career and put on a show in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Tomas was 6-16 with a .412 batting average with two home runs, a double, a walk, and four strikeouts in the tournament.

Tomas rates as a 70 in the power department on a scale of 20-80 and can hit some towering home runs with his 6'1" and 230 lb frame. Tomas is right handed and has a very short and compact swing that helps him in the power department. Tomas is probably a corner outfielder in the Major Leagues thanks to his below average speed in the outfield and on the base paths. Tomas' arm rates as a 55 on that same 20-80 scale and the slugger projects to 30 home run power in the major leagues with below average defense.

Cespedes received four years and $36 million, Alex Guerrero received four years and $28 million, Erisbel Arruebarruena received five years and $25 million, Rusney Castillo received seven years and $72 million, Jose Abreu received a six year deal worth $68 million, and Yasiel Puig received a seven year deal worth $42 million, and Jorge Soler received a nine year deal worth $90 million. What will Yasmani Tomas receive? Looking at those numbers you're guess is as good as mine.

Who Needs Rusney Castillo When You Can Have Yasmani Tomas?

The New York Yankees may have missed out on Rusney Castillo but that may be okay as Yasmani Tomas will presumably be a free agent after the 2014 season. Tomas is closer, projection wise, to the Yoenis Cespedes', Yasiel Puig's, and Jose Dariel Abreu's of the world than Castillo could ever dream about being. Could Tomas, and not Castillo, be the replacement for Ichiro Suzuki next season?

Tomas has already defected from his native Cuba and is trying to establish residency so he can become a free agent this winter. Tomas is 23 years old, to Castillo's 27 years old, and has played in parts of five seasons in the Cuban Serie Nacional making him exempt from the spending cap on International players, not that this will matter to the Yankees much after already breaking the bank in that department.

Tomas has spent time at both corner outfield spots, center field, first base, and third base in his career and put on a show in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Tomas was 6-16 with a .412 batting average with two home runs, a double, a walk, and four strikeouts in the tournament.

Tomas rates as a 70 in the power department on a scale of 20-80 and can hit some towering home runs with his 6'1" and 230 lb frame. Tomas is right handed and has a very short and compact swing that helps him in the power department. Tomas is probably a corner outfielder in the Major Leagues thanks to his below average speed in the outfield and on the base paths. Tomas' arm rates as a 55 on that same 20-80 scale and the slugger projects to 30 home run power in the major leagues with below average defense.

Cespedes received four years and $36 million, Alex Guerrero received four years and $28 million, Erisbel Arruebarruena received five years and $25 million, Rusney Castillo received seven years and $72 million, Jose Abreu received a six year deal worth $68 million, and Yasiel Puig received a seven year deal worth $42 million, and Jorge Soler received a nine year deal worth $90 million. What will Yasmani Tomas receive? Looking at those numbers you're guess is as good as mine.