Report: Phillies identified as strong contenders to land Yasmany Tomas

The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly front-runners to bolster their outfield with coveted Cuban star Yasmany Tomas.

Previous reports have linked Tomas to several teams, most prominently the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers. But according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News, the Phillies appear to have an inside track on the 23-year-old free agent.

"He makes a lot of sense for Philadelphia," a rival executive told the Daily News.

Tomas, who evaluators project as a potential star, reportedly held two private showcases for the Padres, and has also drawn interest from the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers.

More from Martino:

The Phillies have money, a thin farm system, and a desire to reverse their fortunes as quickly as possible. Plus, people around the game took note when GM Ruben Amaro Jr. flew to the Dominican Republic to personally scout Tomas.

Multiple executives with teams interested in Tomas say that, if he were a free agent, he would be a $15 million per year player, making a 5-year, $75 million contract for 23-year-old reasonable. But because he is not attached to a draft pick, and will be the subject of a bidding war, Tomas could easily end up with a $100 million deal, executives say.

Tomas projects as a cross between fellow countrymen Jose Abreu and Yoenis Cespedes, with a higher ceiling than Boston Red Sox outfielder Rusney Castillo, according to one evaluator who spoke with Martino.

The Phillies could prove to be aggressive in their pursuit of the talented free agent after posting the fourth-worst outfield WAR (FanGraphs) in the majors this season.

For more on Tomas's scouting report, check out the storyline below.