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San Diego Padres continue pursuit of Cuban slugger Yosmany Tomas

By Brandon C. Williams

Sep 28, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Cory Spangenberg (15) is greeted at the dugout by catcher Yasmani Grandal (8) after scoring on a RBI hit by left fielder Seth Smith (12) in the first inning of their MLB baseball game with the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Cory Spangenberg (15) is greeted at the dugout by catcher Yasmani Grandal (8) after scoring on a RBI hit by left fielder Seth Smith (12) in the first inning of their MLB baseball game with the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Padres are still in pursuit of Yosmany Tomas

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The San Diego Padres appear to be inching closer to making an initial offer to Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas, according to Baseball America writer Ben Badler.

Tomas held a second private showcase for Padres officials in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday. San Diego general manager A.J. Preller was at the showcase on Tuesday and was also there when Tomas held a showcase at the Giants’ Dominican complex late last month. The Padres held a third showcase for Tomas in between the previous two.

Although the Yankees have expressed interest in Tomas, a 24-year-old corner outfielder who projects as a 30-homer hitter in the middle of the order, it is reported that the club does not want to offer Tomas a contract that is expected to exceed $100 million. The Yankees are holding that Carlos Beltran can handle right field next season, provided a returning Alex Rodriguez is capable of handling the DH spot in the order.

Tomas did not fare well in his first exposure to baseball in the states, hitting just .157 (3 for 19) when the Cuban national team faced college Team USA in North Carolina this summer. All three of his hits were singles, and Tomas managed just one walk compared to eight strikeouts.

After a season in which the team finished last in the majors in runs scored (535), batting average (.226) and 28th in homers (109), the addition of Tomas would be a huge boost for the Padres. He would either replace Seth Smith in left field or hasten a move that would put top prospect Rymer Liriano to center, while either moving Cameron Maybin to the bench or part of a possible deal.

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