After spending months lingering on the open market, one of the better outfielders available this winter finally found a home. According to reports, the Chicago White Sox will sign Tommy Pham to a minor league deal. Pham split 2023 between the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks and produced his best season in a few years. He is not expected to stay in the minors for long.
Free agent Tommy Pham close to deal with White Sox. Story: https://t.co/I2kjqXJfZe
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 15, 2024
Tommy Pham is closing in on a Minor League deal with the White Sox, per source. Expectation is that he would join Chicago after a short stay in Minors. @Ken_Rosenthal was on it.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) April 15, 2024
At age 36, Pham will provide Chicago with quality outfield depth with both his bat and glove. The righty’s offensive production was 11 percent better than league average, per OPS+. Additionally, multiple defensive metrics grade Pham’s defense as roughly average.
Tommy Pham Close To A Minor League Deal With The White Sox
In Spring Training last year, Pham told reporters he expected a good year thanks to his new contact lenses. Pham deals with keratoconus, an eye condition that impacts the cornea and a person’s sight. The veteran said his new contacts greatly improved his vision, which hasn’t been that good in years.
Pham’s premonition proved correct. He gradually hit his way into more playing time with the Mets and earned an everyday role. His solid production and clubhouse presence allowed New York to eventually trade him to Arizona for 17-year-old prospect Jeremy Rodríguez at the deadline. Pham played an essential role with the eventual Pennant-winning Diamondbacks and even hit a World Series home run.
The first home run of the 2023 World Series belongs to Tommy Pham!! @Dbacks take the lead!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/LKOWePNAo2
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 28, 2023
Overall, Pham hit .256/.328/.446 (111 OPS+) with 16 homers and 22 steals. Teams typically are not bullish on veterans in their late thirties, but underlying metrics don’t project upcoming regression. With the White Sox signing Pham, they should get similar production when he’s ready.
Pham ranked in the 93rd percentile in Average Exit Velocity and in the 89th percentile in both Hard-Hit and Chase percentages. He also graded well in metrics like Sprint Speed, Walk and Strikeout rates, and Whiff percentage.
These metrics indicate that the production behind Pham’s bounce-back year was legitimate. There’s little reason to think that, despite his age, Pham can’t provide similar production in 2024. Late signings can be tough, but Chicago signing Pham might prove to be of great value.
Main Photo Credits: Joe Rondone / USA TODAY NETWORK
