Phillies Notebook: Amaro checks out Cuban prospect

MIAMI - On Monday, Ruben Amaro Jr. was in the Dominican Republic with a contingent of Phillies baseball operations people to get a firsthand look at slugging outfielder Yasmany Tomas, a Cuban defector.

Last week, Amaro was in Japan on another scouting mission.

Such is the life of a beleaguered general manager who was given a vote of confidence on his job status repeatedly this season, but is still on the hot seat from Philadelphia sports fans after failing to field a winner for three straight seasons despite having one of the top three payrolls in baseball.

With his international travels over (for now), Amaro was back with the Phillies when the team began a three-game series in Miami last night.

"I think we have to be active on every level . . . whether it's trades, international [signings]," Amaro said. "Talent isn't coming off trees. We have to find it wherever we can."

The Phillies' offseason officially begins late Sunday afternoon, following the final game of the season at Citizens Bank Park. But the pursuit to fix what's ailed the team this season (and in the last two seasons, too) has been ongoing.

Entering yesterday, only eight teams in baseball had scored fewer runs than the Phillies this season (605). Only three teams - the Braves, Reds and Padres - have a lower OPS (.666).

The best route to upgrade the offense is finding outfielders, since they have three veterans infielders under contract for next season (Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins) and three promising younger players bidding for playing time, too (Maikel Franco, Cody Asche and Darin Ruf).

The American free-agent market for outfielders is, at best, thin. Nelson Cruz tops the list, with fellow former PED user Melky Cabrera, former top prospect Colby Rasmus and then older veterans like Michael Cuddyer, Josh Willingham and Mike Morse.

There is also little help coming from the farm among outfielders, which could be the biggest indictment of the franchise's current state.

Thus, the team's interest in the 23-year-old Tomas. The Phils attended an open workout for major league teams on Sunday and then had their own private workout with the righthanded-hitting corner outfielder on Monday.

Yesterday, Amaro kept his comments brief regarding Tomas.

"He's a good-looking guy," Amaro said. "From what I read, there is a lot of interest in the guy. So we'll see. He's just like any other free agent; it's an open market."

With the successes of the most recent Cuban-defecting offensive players, like Jose Abreu, Yasiel Puig and Yoenis Cespedes, Tomas likely won't come cheap.

Abreu, who is tied for third in the American League with 35 home runs, signed for 6 years and $68 million last winter. The Boston Red Sox signed outfielder Rusney Castillo to a 7-year, $72.5 million deal last month.

It's unknown whether the Phillies would award a contract that could approach $100 million for a somewhat unknown commodity. Amaro said he hasn't spoken to ownership yet regarding his payroll flexibility this winter. But with sagging attendance, you can bet the organization would like to do something to energize the fan base this winter.

And the middle of the order, too, of course.

Entering yesterday, Phillies cleanup hitters had a .391 slugging percentage (19th in MLB), .701 OPS (21st) and 24 home runs (10th). Phillies three-hole hitters had a .408 slugging percentage (22nd), .740 OPS (22nd) and 13 home runs (26th).

Eventually, Howard and Utley will have to be replaced in the middle of the lineup.

"It depends what you think is a legit, middle-of-the-order bat," Amaro said. "A lot of people have different opinions on what that is. We have some legit middle-of-the-order bats here. Has it been enough for us to contend? No. We have to improve in that area. Acquiring players is not easy. That's why we have to keep our options open as far as who we can acquire."

Amaro said his recent excursion to the Far East marked the first time he had visited Japan.

"It was a good opportunity for me to see some players and make some contacts with Japanese front offices," he said.

Jimmy Rollins (left hamstring) hit, took infield work and ran the bases during pregame batting practice. But it's still uncertain whether he'll return for any of the five games that remain on the schedule this season. "We're not going to push him," Ruben Amaro Jr. said. Rollins has missed 14 straight games . . . Kyle Kendrick could make his final start in a Phillies uniform tonight in Miami. Kendrick, a free agent after the season, is the second longest-tenured pitcher on the roster (behind Cole Hamels) and one of six players who remain from the 2008 World Series championship team. Kendrick (9-13, 4.73 ERA) will pitch opposite Miami lefthander Brad Hand (3-8, 4.59).

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