Phillies GM on failing to sign Yasmany Tomas: 'We are not disappointed'
The Philadelphia Phillies were considered the runaway favorites to sign Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas, but something went wrong and he joined the Arizona Diamondbacks on a six-year deal.
"We had dialogue for months," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told CSN Philly's Jim Salisbury. "We had dialogue today (Wednesday). All I can tell you is we had dialogue."
Amaro was asked blatantly by reporters if he was soured Tomas didn't sign with his club.
"We are not disappointed," he exclaimed.
Reports surfaced saying the team had concerns about Tomas's conditioning and outfield defense, but Amaro claims the club's focus is elsewhere.
“Who said we were looking for a power bat?” Amaro said. “We have a long-term plan and the moves we make are based on that. We’re looking for pitching right now. Right now, we’re looking to improve our pitching.
"We need more pitching.”
Amaro doesn't have to worry about missing out on free-agent hurlers because only A.J. Burnett (Pittsburgh Pirates) has signed at this point. What's puzzling, though, is the rumors surrounding the possible trade of Cole Hamels. If Amaro is so adamant about adding pitching, how does dealing the ace of the staff make sense?
Regardless, the Phillies swung and missed on Tomas, and only time will tell if the failure to sign him will haunt the club in the future.