As the trade deadline nears, the Milwaukee Brewers front office is already hard at work. They recently acquired Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman and designated hitter Carlos Santana. While Santana adds power to the lineup and the ability to switch-hit, this won’t be enough to win the NL Central. Given how badly Brewers outfielders not named Christian Yelich have struggled offensively, they need to add another bat to the mix. One option for the Brewers to add is Mets veteran outfielder Tommy Pham.
The Brewers Are Once Again Struggling Offensively
Embed from Getty ImagesThis season, the Brewers are once again having problems with their offense. They rank toward the bottom of the league in many major offensive categories. The primary reason for their success has been their pitching staff. Currently, their offense is doing just enough to get them wins. However, “doing just enough” won’t be enough to win the division or make a serious run in the postseason.
Tommy Pham Is Having A Fine Season
Embed from Getty ImagesTommy Pham has been having an excellent season in New York. He’s put up a slash line of .266/.349.464 with nine home runs, 35 RBI, and an OPS of .813. The Mets will be sellers at the trade deadline. One expendable piece they have is Tommy Pham. He’s currently on a one-year deal for $6 million and will be a free agent at the end of the season. Milwaukee can afford to rent him for the stretch run.
Pham Would Be Able To Help The Brewers Where They Need The Most Help
Embed from Getty ImagesSomething that Pham does very well that the Brewers don’t is own lefties. Against lefties, Pham has a slash line of .250/.340/.511 with seven home runs and 14 RBI and an OPS of .851. This season, Milwaukee has made a lot of southpaws look like Warren Spahn. As a team, Milwaukee has put up a putrid slash line of .228/.306/.368 with an OPS .674. Pham would be a huge help to the Brewers offensively against opposing southpaws.
The biggest issue that the Brewers offense has had this season is getting big hits with runners in scoring position. This season, Pham has a slash line of .280/.435/.520 with two homers and 22 RBI, and an OPS of .955. It also should be noted that Pham is even better when there are two outs and runners have an opportunity to score. In that situation, Pham has put up a slash line of .321/.486/.643 with two homers and 12 RBI, and a scorching OPS of 1.129.
Pham Has Hit Well In His Career At American Family Field
Embed from Getty ImagesPham is no stranger to the NL Central division. He began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals and spent part of last season with the Cincinnati Reds. In his career playing at American Family Field, Pham has slashed .305/.362/.638 with eight home runs and 19 RBI, and an OPS of 1.000. Given how well Pham has done offensively in Milwaukee, it should be a no-brainer for the Brewers to acquire him. With Pham being an older player, it also won’t cost the Brewers a highly valued prospect to get him.
A Revolving Door Of Outfielders
Embed from Getty ImagesThe only players who have regularly appeared in Milwaukee’s outfield this season are Christian Yelich and Joey Wiemer. Jesse Winker, Garrett Mitchell, Blake Perkins, Tyrone Taylor, Raimel Tapia, and most recently Sal Frelick all made appearances this season. Garrett Mitchell is out for the year, Winker has been a bust, Taylor has been hurt all season, Tapia and Blake Perkins haven’t been the answer either. While Frelick has gotten off to a hot start, it would be a lot to ask for the rookie to help lead Milwaukee’s offense come September. Having a veteran presence like Pham will help put the Brewers over the top and take the pressure off Frelick.
A Proven Postseason Performer
Embed from Getty ImagesNobody in the Brewers lineup has had the success that Tommy Pham has had in the postseason. Tommy Pham has proven that he can perform well in the big moment. In 15 career postseason games, Pham has slashed a scorching .352/.375/.556 with three homers, six RBI, and an OPS of .931. In their last postseason appearance in 2021, Milwaukee’s offense struggled and only put up an OPS of .527 while only scoring six runs.
An Opportunity To Maximize What Is Left Of Their Contention Window
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Brewers contention window is closing. For Milwaukee to maximize what is remaining of that window, they need to add another bat to the lineup. While Tommy Pham wouldn’t be a flashy acquisition, he would be a great addition to the lineup. Everywhere the Brewers have struggled offensively, Pham has excelled in those areas this season. Even though rookie Sal Frelick is off to a great start, it would be beneficial to have a veteran presence behind him as well. Milwaukee has everything to gain by acquiring Tommy Pham.
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