By PATRICK GORDON | Managing Editor
November 20 2014, 3:00 pm EST.
@Philabaseball
The Phillies have been closely linked to Yasmany Tomas for nearly three months, but sources indicated Thursday the club may be scaling back their interest in pursuing the Cuban slugger.
Tomas, 23, has extreme power and a major league ready bat, but the Phillies front office is not sold on the possibility of sliding him into a corner outfield slot, according to multiple sources.
"They need his bat, but he's built more for the [American League] so he won't have to play defense everyday," said one American League executive. "Defense, by far, is this guy's biggest drawback."
Tomas is believed to be looking for a contract larger than the $72.5 million deal Rusney Castillo signed last summer with the Red Sox.
As reported by The Review last week, Tomas expects to be in San Diego to speak with potential suitors during next month's baseball's Winter Meetings.
In addition to the Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Diego, Kansas City and Cleveland have all demonstrated an interest in inking Tomas. Atlanta has also shown an interest, especially now having moved Jason Heyward to Saint Louis.
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