The latest Cuban baseball sensation to make the jump to Major League Baseball will suit up for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Yasmany Tomas has agreed, in principle, to a deal with the organization, and he will add another potent bat to a lineup that already features slugger Paul Goldschmidt.
According to media reports, Tomas signed a six-year deal worth $68.5 million. The deal is one of the highest ever paid to a Cuban player coming to the MLB, only ranking behind the contract that the Boston Red Sox gave Rusney Castillo last season, which was worth $72.5 million. However, that deal was for seven years.
Tomas's $11.42 deal will have the highest annual value for any Cuban player just ahead of the Chicago White Sox's Jose Abreu's, who's due $11.33 million per season. Abreu won rookie of the year in his first season with the ChiSox.
The Tomas signing comes at a good time for the Diamondbacks, who could certainly use the help. The Cuban sensation will become part of an outfield that suffered more than its fair share of injuries in 2014, as both Mark Trumbo and A.J. Pollock missed roughly half of the year. This could serve to add stability to a potentially injury ridden outfield.Tomas projects as one of the top corner outfield options for Arizona heading into 2015.
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Tomas just turned 24, and has played for the Havana Industriales for most of the last seven years. He hit .375 with two home runs in the most recent World Baseball Classic.
The Diamondbacks are coming off of a 64-98 record, which was the worst in the majors. They have moved on from manager Kirk Gibson and general manager Kevin Towers. The two were replaced by Chip Hale and Dave Stewart.
Tomas can be seen below taking batting practice.
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