Tommy Pham was unique among high-profile free agents who signed late during the offseason.
Recall that Pham was moved to the Arizona Diamondbacks, a team that advanced to the World Series, after starting the 2023 season with the New York Mets. With a wRC+ of 110 and a slashline of.256/.328/.446 at the end of the season, he hit 16 home runs and stole 22 bases. Additionally, Pham was at the top of his game in the postseason, going.429 against the Dodgers and.421 against the Rangers.
He also brought experience to a young D-backs team, and there was speculation that he might return to Phoenix given that he’d been a good fit in the clubhouse. Don’t forget that Pham gave up a World Series at-bat to teammate Jace Peterson so he could get into the game.
(Read this Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon profile of Pham to get a sense of what he brings to a team.)
Those hopes were dashed, however, when the Snakes announced they had signed Joc Pederson as a left-handed DH. Because of Pederson and Pham’s history, including both on the D-backs’ roster seemed unlikely.
And so, the 36-year-old outfielder continued to navigate free agency. Given his 2023 season, Pham’s inability to find a team was a curious development.
Tommy Pham Joins the White Sox
Finally, on April 16, Pham’s future — at least in the near term — became clear: He would join the Island of Misfit Toys known as the 2024.For a player of Pham’s calibre signing with a non-contender, the contract was rather standard. The Sox were attempting to sign a player who could be traded at the deadline in addition to trying to replace an injured Luis Robert Jr.
Take note of that last sentence: Pham will receive $500,000 if traded, which suggests he anticipated his potential fate the moment he signed with Chicago.
White Sox manager Pedro Grigio said of Pham’s signing, “He obviously has a track record in this game, and he’s a really good hitter, has ability to control the strike zone. Look at his numbers. He has a pretty good on-base, he has some power, he’s versatile out there. He’s got an edge to him that I really like.”
As might be expected, Pham’s tenure with Triple-A Charlotte was short, and he joined the Sox on April 26.
Off to a Strong Start
Since then, Pham has distinguished himself. In 18 games with the White Sox, Pham has slashed .319/.365/.464 with a wRC+ of 138. His numbers include two home runs, one stolen base, and 10 RBI.
The defense is less good — in 153 outfield innings, Pham has -3 DRS — but it’s early in the season, and Pham’s offense is compensating for any defensive issues.
In other words, Tommy Pham is having the kind of season consistent with the rest of his career – a career that has established him as a valuable trade piece on numerous occasions.
Will he be moved at the trade deadline? Almost certainly, especially given his relatively inexpensive contract. Pham’s résumé clearly shows that he’s a talented and versatile player who can move into a new environment and contribute.
The question now is where he ends up next.
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