Tommy Pham Is Setting Himself Up Nicely

After a productive year with both the Mets and Diamondbacks, Tommy Pham was surprisingly still a free agent when Opening Day arrived. It wouldn’t be until mid-April that a desperate Chicago White Sox team would sign the hard-nosed outfielder. Since signing with the Sox, the 36-year-old has shown that he can still be a productive player. The White Sox are rebuilding and will be looking to trade away any player that has value. Pham is currently putting himself in a great position to be traded to a contender at the trade deadline.

A Productive 2023 Season

Tommy Pham had a good season last year. With the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks, Pham put up a slash line of .256/.328/.446 with 17 home runs, 68 RBI, and a .774 OPS. Pham was also a huge part of the Diamondbacks’ surprise run to the World Series in 2023. Despite accusations of being a clubhouse nightmare, Pham was reportedly well-liked by his Diamondback teammates. In the postseason for the Diamondbacks, Pham had a slash line of .279/.297/.475 with three home runs, four RBI, and a .772 OPS.

Still Unsigned Well Past Opening Day

Despite productive regular and postseasons and his versatility in the outfield, Tommy Pham was still a free agent well past Opening Day. This was perhaps due in part to his reputation for supposedly having an attitude inside the clubhouse. Other factors could’ve included his multiple on-field incidents with other players as well as fans. He wouldn’t be signed until mid-April by a desperate Chicago White Sox team on a minor league deal.

Tommy Pham Is Showing He’s Still Productive

So far this season, Tommy Pham has been making the most of his time with the White Sox. Pham is currently slashing .346/.386/.500 with two home runs, ten RBI, and an OPS of .886. The Sox themselves have benefited from his presence. Since Pham joined the team on April 26^th, Chicago has gone 11-11 and won four series including one against the division-leading Cleveland Guardians. Before his arrival, Chicago had only won a total of three games.

Setting Himself Up For A Better Situation

The White Sox are in the beginning of another long rebuild. They’ll be looking to trade anyone off their current roster that has value for young prospects. The front office has already indicated this direction by trading away veteran Robbie Grossman to the Texas Rangers in early May. Tommy Pham will more than likely be dealt away at the trade deadline. Pham is having a great year individually so far and his positive impact on the Sox can’t be understated. The 36-year-old is also a proven postseason performer as he has a career slash line of .313/.333/.513 with six homers, ten RBI, and an OPS of .846. Given his success with the Sox this year and his ability to perform well in the postseason, Pham could find himself on another postseason-contending team.

Tommy Pham’s Impact Can’t Be Understated

Despite not being signed until well past Opening Day, Tommy Pham has been making the most of his opportunity with the White Sox. He’s showing the entire baseball world that he can still be a productive player. Since his arrival, the White Sox have also been playing better baseball as well and his impact on the team can’t go unnoticed. The 36-year-old has played himself into a great position to be on another postseason-contending team.

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