From Chronicle Staff Writer Susan Slusser

The hottest Cuban prospect this winter is outfielder Yasmany Tomas – and the A’s are always looking for right-handed power, which he has. So it comes as no surprise, really, that Oakland does have interest in Tomas.

I’m told the A’s have discussed him, and they have scouted Tomas “a lot” over the past 18 months. Tomas, who turns 24 on Friday, hit .290 and had a slugging percentage of .504 in five seasons in Cuba. In the last World Baseball Classic, where he was one of Cuba’s youngest players, Tomas homered twice and hit .375.

The A’s made an enormous splash in 2012 by coming out of nowhere to sign another right-handed Cuban slugger, Yoenis Cespedes. Could they do so again? Their right-handed hitting Cuban slot is certainly available after trading Cespedes to Boston last July. But Tomas might get a contract that nears $100 million, according to some estimates – the A’s won’t be in on that kind of action. Should Tomas, like Cespedes, prefer a shorter deal in order to become a free agent more quickly, though, perhaps Oakland can surprise again. Contracts for top Cubans have been climbing in the past two years – Rusney Castillo recently got seven years and $72.5 million from Boston, and the Red Sox are among those with interest in Tomas, along with the Phillies, Orioles, Royals and the Giants, who like the A’s have seen Tomas quite a bit.

Oakland’s biggest need, of course, is for a shortstop, and the team also is exploring the international market at that spot, though a trade appears to be the most likely means for filling that position. The Cubs and Diamondbacks have an excess of middle infielders (no, the A’s won’t be getting Addison Russell back) so could be ideal trade partners. Keep in mind that numerous high-payroll clubs are in need of shortstops, starting with the Yankees, so the A’s aren’t going to be outbidding many teams for any of the available free agents, including their own, Jed Lowrie.

I’ve heard several people around baseball theorize that the A’s might be best served by going all-defense at the spot, just stick Andy Parrino there and not worry about the lack of offense. Right now, a Parrino/Nick Punto combo is all the A’s have, and if they were to sacrifice offense, Parrino was a superior defender at the Triple-A level. I don’t think that’s the way they’ll go, but there are definitely those who think that would be a reasonable solution.