The search for outfield help is over. The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to terms on a one-year, $4.025 million contract with veteran Tommy Pham, as confirmed by sources at Pittsburgh Baseball Now. Pham, who will turn 37 next month, has had quite the career, playing for nine teams during his 11 years in Major League Baseball.
Last season, Pham split time between the Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Kansas City Royals. He totaled 116 games and posted a batting line of .248/.305/.368, contributing nine home runs, 39 RBIs, and seven stolen bases to his stat sheet. While his overall numbers from last year were considered below average, his strong start, particularly with the White Sox where he recorded a 104 OPS+, was significant.
Pham's previous season had its share of ups and downs. He began on a positive note with the White Sox but encountered difficulties during his stint with the Cardinals after being traded. Nevertheless, he was claimed off waivers by the Royals and, during his time there, delivered some important hits, including a three-run homer against the division-leading Guardians.
The Pirates have identified Pham as a key piece to fill the outfield void, especially after non-tendering Bryan De La Cruz and Connor Joe earlier this offseason. With their outfield position struggling last year—ranking near the bottom for OPS and home runs—adding Pham is expected to provide the depth and experience they need.
Notably, over his career, Pham has maintained solid offensive capabilities, holding a .773 OPS and hitting 139 home runs across 1,121 games. Historically, he has performed well against left-handed pitchers, with a career .266 average against them and an .817 OPS. The Pirates are likely to utilize him primarily as a platoon player against lefties, collaborating with either Joshua Palacios or Jack Suwinski.
Defensively, Pham has experience at all three outfield positions. While he has shown versatility, his performance last season showed room for improvement, with -10 defensive runs saved, mainly reflected during his time as center fielder. Analysts expect him to stick to the corners as the Pirates aim to bolster their outfield play.
Throughout the offseason, Pham's signing marks another step taken by the Pirates to strengthen their squad. They already brought back franchise stalwart Andrew McCutchen on a one-year deal worth $5 million and added pitchers Caleb Ferguson, Adam Frazier, and Tim Mayza to the roster. The Pirates have committed to enhancing their lineup as they pivot from previous seasons of struggle and aim for greater success.
Interestingly, Pham’s signing aligns with the Pirates’ ownership approach under Bob Nutting, who is historically cautious with free-agent contracts. The Pirates have not issued multi-year deals to free agents since General Manager Ben Cherington took the helm, indicating the franchise’s strategy to rely on short-term commitments rather than long-term investments.
With Pham now set to join players like Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz, the Pirates are banking on the combination of veteran insight and youthful energy to push them forward. Optimism surrounds the Pirates as they prepare for spring training, where they'll look to refine their roster under the pressure of competitive standings. The upcoming season holds potential as fans hope for significant progress and notable performances.
For the Pirates, Pham's addition is not just about filling gaps; it hinges on creating synergy within the team. With Pham’s leadership experience from having played on teams making postseason runs, he could become a pivotal figure as the Pirates navigate through 2024.
Expected to garner significant playing time, Pham’s role is still being defined within the rapidly changing dynamics of the Pirates’ organization. Fans are eager to see how this plays out as the team prepares for the upcoming MLB season.