Snake Eyes

Breaking: Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas & D-backs have agreed to a 6-year deal worth $68.5M, according to sources http://t.co/haBhc6LtHh

— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) November 26, 2014

We’ve all been duped, apparently. Again. We heard Phillies, Giants, Padres, and we also heard a billion dollar contract. Most money for a Cuban player in the history of Cuba. But its the Arizona Diamondbacks who land him for six years and $68.5 million. So now we can all have a lot of fun comparing what Tomas does offensively and defensively to what Michael Cuddyer will do for the Mets. But there’s a couple of things at play here. The Mets signed Cuddyer early. People will say that they signed him too early before they really knew what the market bore out for Tomas, and that they could have gotten Tomas for an annual average for six years not far above what Cuddyer will be making for two … especially if they had the foresight to throw in an opt out clause after four years. Length of contract makes this comparison unfair. What you can say is that the Mets signed Cuddyer too early in that it prevented them from seeing what the price would be for Yoenis Cespedes, who not only is in a crowded outfield all of a sudden after the Red Sox signed Hanley Ramirez, but he also has in his contract that he cannot receive a qualifying offer at the end of this contract. So his price for a year and no draft pick compensation, with the Red Sox not having a lot of leverage with 27 outfielders on the roster, can’t be that high.

(Kinda like when they signed Chris Young last year before the market on Nelson Cruz developed. Though I’m fairly confident in saying that Cruz wasn’t hitting no forty home runs in Flushing … and probably would have broken every bone in his body making a routine catch in right field because this is the Mets we’re talking about.)

Also, the comparison to Tomas’ stats will be with Brandon Nimmo/Michael Conforto. Tomas to the Mets wasn’t happening. Partly because of money (of course), but partly because they wanted a shorter commitment in the outfield because they’re banking on Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto to take over in the corners for Cuddyer and Curtis Granderson. That’s a big risk considering you could have signed Tomas, who also represents risk, and used Nimmo or Conforto as chips down the line. But the Mets are banking on Brandon Nimmo being a better long term investment than Tomas. He’ll certainly be a cheaper one. So that, ultimately, will be your comparison. Not Tomas vs. Cuddyer.

Hopefully Sandy wins this round. We’ll find out in six years. (Or four if Tomas opts out.)

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