Tommy Pham, who remained a free agent through the 2024 regular season, signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox on April 15. Chicago is battling with a few early-season position player ailments.
Eloy Jiménez, a designated hitter/outfielder, was on the injured list in early April due to a left adductor strain but has just returned. Outfielder Luis Robert Jr. will be out for up to six weeks due to a right hip flexor strain sustained on April 5. Yoán Moncada, an infielder, will be out for months and could return after the All-Star break.
Pham will be in the minors receiving at-bats until he is ready to contribute regularly for the White Sox. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal discussed the signing on the Foul Territory podcast, which was hosted by Scott Braun, A.J. Pierzynski, and Erik Kratz.
Rosenthal says Pham “believed he was worth a certain amount of money.” In 129 games last season with the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks, the 36-year-old batted.256/.328/.446 with an OPS of.774.
The veteran outfielder had a strong playoff performance for the Diamondbacks during their World Series triumph. In 16 games, he batted.279/.297/.475 and had an OPS of.772. He had ten runs, three doubles, three home runs, and four RBIs.
According to Rosenthal, the 36-year-old “had a better season than some free agents who signed for a lot more,” and he feels Pham did not receive the salary he desired, most likely owing to his age.
Pham agreed to a deal with the White Sox worth $3 million, plus $1.5 million in performance bonuses. The Las Vegas native will also be eligible for a $500,000 bonus if transferred during the season. He is a candidate to be traded before the trade deadline to a team eager to make a postseason push.
Why Pham should stay on the Phillies’ trade deadline radar.
Pham should remain on the Philadelphia Phillies’ trade deadline radar since their position group’s offensive depth is lacking. Brandon Marsh has emerged as the team’s best hitter three weeks into the regular season. He should be an everyday player, but manager Rob Thomson hasn’t always used him as such.
Veteran Nick Castellanos and rookie Johan Rojas have struggled to hit in the early going this season. According to Jeff Kerr of CBS News Philadelphia, Castellanos has a.177/.244/.203 batting line and an OPS of.447. Rojas’ slash line is.264/.328/.302, with an OPS of.630. Whit Merrifield, a backup outfielder, has likewise struggled at the plate. The utility player’s batting line is.129/.182/.226 with an OPS of.408.
Philadelphia might benefit from adding more outfield depth before the trade deadline, particularly if their current outfielders continue to struggle offensively or miss time due to injuries. Pham remains devoted to playing every day, and he can do it despite his age.
Given how poorly three of their outfielders have performed at the plate in the first month of the regular season, Pham might benefit the Phillies if he is acquired by the deadline. Rosenthal notes that his former Mets and Diamondbacks colleagues regarded him as a positive locker-room presence.
He has proved success in the postseason and would be eager to join a team like Philadelphia, which is capable of winning the World Series in 2024. It’s hard to imagine Pham being any worse offensively than Castellanos, Rojas, and Merrifield have been for the Phillies three weeks in. Even if the struggling trio improves on offence, adding Pham would increase the team’s depth as they strive for a title.
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