ESPN: Yasmany Tomas has the D-backs’ worst contract
Jan 17, 2018, 2:53 PM | Updated: Jan 18, 2018, 7:45 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks Yasmany Tomas (24) follows through on an RBI double against the New York Mets during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 17, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
Back in 2014, Yasmany Tomas signed the second longest contract among free agents, despite never playing a game in MLB. Only six other free agents that offseason signed contracts worth more than Tomas. The Arizona Diamondbacks took a risk on the Cuban player and three years into his contract, it is not panning out.
In a recent article from ESPN senior writer David Schoenfield, Tomas is highlighted as the Diamondbacks’ worst contract.
In 2014 the Diamondbacks, under former GM Dave Stewart and former Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa, gave Tomas a six-year contract nearly worth $70 million. Now after an underachieving year, Tomas is set to make $13.5 million for this upcoming season.
The previous regime gave Tomas $68.5 million, even though scouts said he lacked a position and some weren’t all that impressed by the bat.
In 2016, Tomas played 140 games, hit 31 home runs, batted .272 and drove in 83 RBIs.
Last season, Tomas only played 47 games due to a core injury, while having career lows in stats like batting average (.241) and OBP (.294).
Even though Tomas has shown promise in some areas, like hitting the ball out of the park, there are a lot of questions surrounding the rest of his play.
… but even when he was “good” in 2016 and slammed 31 home runs, he wasn’t really good, with negative WAR (Wins Above Replacement) due to poor defense, baserunning and plate discipline.
Tomas will likely have another chance to prove his worth in Arizona’s upcoming season due to the likely departure of free agent J.D. Martinez, but he will need to improve his defense.
With many of Tomas’ defensive stats being far below average and being projected last season as the fourth-worst defender in MLB, the team could be concerned.
Without J.D. Martinez, Tomas will probably get another shot in the outfield — just don’t count on him collecting that $25,000 bonus for winning a Gold Glove.
