Arizona Diamondbacks place Yasmany Tomas on waivers

Once expected to be a key part of the Arizona Diamondbacks future, Yasman Tomas is no longer a part of the present.

When Yasmany Tomas was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks, it was expected that he would be a key part of the future. The power hitting Cuban star was expected to be a star, justifying the six year, $68.5 million contract that he signed prior to the 2015 season. While Tomas showed some promise in his first season, with a .273/.305/.401 batting line, but his nine homers and 110:17 K:BB rate in 426 plate appearances were not what the Diamondbacks hoped for.

Nonetheless, the Diamondbacks still had high hopes for Tomas, making trades to open a regular spot in the lineup for the power hitter. He responded by belting 31 homers and 30 doubles, while producing a .272/.313/.508 batting line, but his struggles to make contact appeared once again. In his 563 plate appearances, Tomas walked 31 times, with 136 strikeouts. He was also horrendous in the outfield, costing the Diamondbacks 31 runs, including -22 mark in left.

Given that progress, the Diamondbacks had hoped that Tomas would continue to improve in 2017. However, he was limited to just 47 games, done in by injuries. He had a mere .241/.294/.464 batting line, hitting eight homers while striking out 50 times in 180 plate appearances. That lack of production could well be explained by injury, but Tomas no longer appeared to be that key part of the future.

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The writing began to appear on the wall this offseason. Tomas was arrested on January 18 after being clocked driving at 105 mph on Loop 101 in Tempe, Arizona. Just a month later, the Diamondbacks signed Jarrod Dyson to a two year contract, adding a much better defensive player to the roster. Then the Diamondbacks traded for Steven Souza. Tomas was optioned to the minors to work on his defense, which had made him virtually unplayable.

And now, the Diamondbacks have taken the next step to moving on from the former prized prospect. They have placed Tomas on waivers, removing him from the 40 man roster and making him available for any other team to claim. However, given the $46 million left on his contract over the next three years, it seems unlikely that another team will bite.

At this point, it is fair to wonder if Tomas will make an impact upon the Diamondbacks going forward. Otherwise, he may languish in AAA, not getting another opportunity to perform at the major league level, the National League’s answer to Rusney Castillo. That future that the Diamondbacks were hoping for, and the powerful slugger that could anchor the middle of their lineup, just never became the player they hoped for.

Yes, there is still plenty of power in Tomas’ bat. Even in his injury plagued 2017, he showed that ability to hit plenty of home runs. However, his inability to prove even close to competency in the outfield leaves him a man without a position. In the American League, this would be fine, as he could slot in as the designated hitter. That is simply not an option in Arizona.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks thought they were bringing in a future star with Yasmany Tomas. Instead, he may prove to be one of the highest paid players in AAA.