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Winning Player With a Big Personality is a Free Agent Once Again

Outfielder Tommy Pham represented one of the multiple quality veterans that lingered on the free agent market last offseason. Coming off a resurgent season split between the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks, Pham refused to sign a contract less than his worth.

Various teams expressed interest, but he ultimately signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox in mid-April. Unfortunately for Pham, he will likely have a similar experience on the free agent market this offseason due to a poor 2024 showing.

Tommy Pham is a Free Agent Once Again

In 2023, Pham received praise from his teammates with the Mets and Diamondbacks for his work ethic, production, and locker room presence. Pham has rubbed people the wrong way in the past due to his outspoken and direct nature. However, many of his past teammates have spoken glowingly about him, often describing him as a good teammate, especially once you got to know him.

On top of that, Pham was one of the best hitters on both of his teams in 2023. Overall, he hit .256/.328/.446 (111 OPS+) with 16 homers, 27 doubles, and 22 steals. He paired this with better than league average strikeout and walk rates.

Additionally, Pham continued to earn his reputation as a Statcast darling. He ranked in the 79th percentile or higher in xwOBA, xBA, xSLG, Hard-Hit rate, Chase percentage, and Average Exit Velocity. This means that Pham, despite putting up solid numbers, might have been unlucky and deserved better stats based on the quality of contact he made.

2024 Struggles

Unfortunately, these numbers did not carry over into 2024. Overall, he struggled to a .248/.305/.368 slash line and 91 OPS+ with the White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Kansas City Royals. To his credit, he remained one of the most disciplined hitters in the game (97th percentile in Chase percentage). However, he did see a significant drop in his Hard-Hit rate and Average Exit Velocity.

On top of this, defensive metrics did not grade him well in the outfield. While he earned 1 Defensive Run Saved (DRS) and 1 Out Above Average (OAA) in left field, that’s where he peaked. Pham’s work in center field was worth -7 DRS and -1 OAA while he earned -4 in both DRS and OAA in right field.

At this point in his career, Pham is best suited for a corner outfield spot. Ideally, his next team will play him in the easier corner of the home park. Considering he will be 37 on Opening Day, teams will use his poor defense and declining contact quality against him.

Potential Fits

Pham should not expect to sign a lucrative free-agent contract this offseason due to his 2024 struggles. That said, there’s reason to think he has more in the tank. First, Pham did not sign a deal until well past Opening Day. In recent history, multiple players have blamed regular season struggles on a delayed start to spring training.

It’s not unreasonable to think Pham started the season behind the eight ball and never caught up. If his agent can convince teams that this, not age, contributed most to his struggles, he could land a major league contract.

Lastly, Pham brings a toughness, attitude, and standard from which teams have often benefitted. A contending team that has disappointed in recent seasons might feel they could use his attitude in the clubhouse. The New York Yankees brought in different types of personalities over the past few years for a similar reason. Even Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said his club won the World Series thanks to a toughness that it lacked in previous years.

Pham is not a perfect free agent. That said, he provides value to both contenders and rebuilders. Teams must see the value he could provide on what will likely be a one-year deal.

 

Photo Credit: © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Ryan Giglio

Ryan Giglio

A passionate sports fan all his life, he became a writer for Last Word on Sports in 2023. His favorite teams are the Mets, Nets, NY Giants and Jets.

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