The Boston Red Sox’s influx of Cuban outfielders could continue.
First, the Red Sox acquired Yoenis Cespedes from the Oakland Athletics before the Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline. Then, Boston signed Rusney Castillo to a seven-year, $72.5 million contract in August. Now, it appears the organization is at least doing its homework on Yasmani Tomas, who could command as much as $100 million in free agency this offseason.
CSNNE.com’s Sean McAdam reports that several Red Sox scouts and evaluators will be on hand Sunday as Tomas hosts a showcase for Major League Baseball teams in the Dominican Republic. WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford is hearing the same, though Boston’s level of interest in the 23-year-old remains unclear.
The Red Sox already have a crowded outfield. Cespedes, Castillo, Mookie Betts, Shane Victorino, Daniel Nava, Allen Craig, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Brock Holt are among those under contract who could vie for playing time in the outfield in 2015. Right-handed power is one of the most sought-after commodities in baseball, however, and Tomas could be intriguing enough for the Red Sox to consider another splash.
Castillo, who was Tomas’ teammate in Cuba, told Bradford that the free agent possesses “a ton of power.” The Red Sox outfielder even compared Tomas to Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, who has had a monster rookie campaign after signing a six-year, $68 million contract last October.
Tomas’ showcase is expected to be attended by nearly every major league team, according to McAdam, so perhaps the Red Sox are simply doing their due diligence. Then again, maybe they’ll see something Sunday that piques their interest to the point where they’re willing to jump into another intense bidding war.
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