Tomas Contract Largest In Diamondbacks History

Yasmany Tomas agreed to the largest contract in Diamondbacks history yesterday. Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

Yesterday Diamondbacks fans got a Pre-Thanksgiving treat when the Dbacks agreed to terms with coveted free agent Cuban OF Yasmany Tomas, a move that surprised many.

The negotiations escalated quickly, and in the end the two sides agreed to a 6 year $68 million dollar contract, which is actually under the $72.5 million that Rusney Castillo got from the Red Sox, and the same amount that Jose Abreu got from the White Sox.

Given how much of an impact Cuban stars have had in the Major Leagues, Tomas was expected to make close to $100 million, and early on the Phillies were the front runners.

However, the contract that Tony La Russa, and General Manager Dave Stewart gave the 24 year old slugger allows Tomas to make a lot of money later, and that must have been what sealed the deal.

His contract contains an opt out clause allowing him to opt out of the deal and become a free agent after four seasons. If he develops into a superstar, and he decides to opt out, he could command Giancarlo Stanton type money on the open market.

The $68.5 million dollar deal will pay Tomas approximately $11 million a year, and is the largest contract in franchise history.

The previous high free agent contract was the four year $52.4 million dollar deal given to left-hander Randy Johnson that brought the future hall of famer to Arizona prior to the 1999 season.

The next highest free agent contract given to a player by the Dbacks came in the winter of 2004, when the Snakes reached a four year $45 million deal with Troy Glaus.

Recently, the Diamondbacks have given out large extensions to their star players. Miguel Montero was given a five year 60 million dollar extension in 2012. Justin Upton was inked to a six year $51.25 million dollar extension in Spring Training 2010, just to name a couple.

Here is what I do know based on this signing: the Diamondbacks are not afraid to offer up big money to international free agents. Remember they offered Masahiro Tanaka between $120 and $140 million last offseason before he signed with the Yankees. Expect the Dbacks to be active on the international market for years to come.