Are The Yankees Falling Out Of Yasmany Tomas Sweepstakes?

One of the biggest problem areas for the New York Yankees over the past two seasons has been offensive production. The once-mighty Bronx Bombers are a shell of their former collective selves, ranking near the bottom of the American League in multiple offensive categories. Gone are the days of bludgeoning teams into the ground with the likes of Curtis Granderson, Nick Swisher, Robinson Cano, and a healthy Mark Teixeira.

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Now, batting averages ranging in the low-to-mid .200s is acceptable practice for the struggling Yankees. It is the lack of offensive production–not devastating injuries to their starting rotation, that is going to keep them from October baseball for the second consecutive season. The Yankees have yet to say whether the luxury tax threshold will play a part in their off-season plans and pursuits, but one player may already be on the verge of being out of reach for New York.

According to MLB Trade Rumors.com, Cuban defector and power-hitting outfielder, Yasmany Tomas is expected to be made a free agent by Major League Baseball very soon. The 24-year-old held an open workout for teams who were interested over the past weekend in the Dominican Republic.

Ben Badler of Baseball America, stated that multiple teams were well represented at the Tomas workout, including the Yankees, Diamondbacks, Giants and Mets. The teams with the most interest however, could be the San Diego Padres, who were represented by new GM A.J. Preller, the Philadephia Phillies whom Tomas has already privately worked out for, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Texas Rangers. Tomas is scheduled to work out for the Rangers today.

Where does that leave the Yankees? Like other high-profile Cuban prospects this season, most recently Rusney Castillo, the Yankees will most likely kick the tires, and pass, unwilling to commit years and dollars to unproven big league talent. Castillo ended up in Boston with the rival Red Sox. Tomas is on the right side of 30 years of age, and could be the impact bat the Yankees are desperately needing to add during the winter. If the Yankees sit on their hands, another young, valuable bat could slip through their hands once again.