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Tommy Pham joins the Phillies Pham on a minor-league contract

The Phillies picked up another veteran on Saturday afternoon.

Posted
By Shaun Nestor
Some things feel like they are meant to go together. Saturday afternoon, one of those pairings became a reality per ESPN’s Jorge Castillo. Castillo reported that the Philadelphia Phillies signed 38-year old outfielder Tommy Pham to a minor league contract.
 
For the Phillies, the move acts as an additional option in a thinly spread outfield. The breakout success of Derek Hill in recent days has provided a spark, but has yet to prove sustainable in a paper-thin outfield including young guns Justin Crawford and Gabriel Rincones Jr. Brandon Marsh is the one consistent light in the outfield and might be on the cusp of his first All-Star appearance.
 
For Pham, the move provides him another opportunity to find his way onto a major league roster. Should the Phillies not utilize Pham at the major league level, the contract reportedly includes an opt-out date of July 25 for the veteran.

A great Immaculate Grid pick

If you play the Immaculate Grid much, you may want to consider Tommy Pham in your rotation. The outfielder has had a seasoned 13-year career in the major leagues including appearances in the big leagues with ten teams.
 

A .256 career batting average, Pham made his MLB debut for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014. His best season on record came in 2017 when he hit 23 home runs and a .931 OPS, receiving votes in the National League MVP race at the end of the season. Since being traded to Tampa Bay in 2018, Pham has become a journeyman throughout the league, serving as a solid outfield pick for whichever team picked him up.

Most recently, he had a nine-game stretch with the New York Mets. In 13 at bats, Pham went hitless, reaching base on one walk while striking out seven times. At that point, the Mets opted to outright Pham to Triple-A Syracuse, prompting Pham to elect free agency. After two weeks of trying his luck in free agency, the Baltimore Orioles signed him to a minor league contract in May. Less than a month later, the Orioles released Pham. Fifteen days later, he is a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.

A low-cost option

In recent years, the Phillies’ outfield has become a complex puzzle of moving parts, underperforming signings, short-term trade fixes, and young prospects. Signing Pham to a minor-league deal is certainly not a solution to this puzzle, but an audition for the veteran to show that he has a part to play.
 
On one hand, maybe the next month flies by and Pham never makes it to Philadelphia. In which case, it will be another opt-out and another free agent search for Pham. On the other hand, if he proves he still has what it takes and if a spot opens up, there might be a mutually beneficial opportunity on the horizon.
 
While the Phillies continue searching for outfield stability, a flier on Pham has no risk and a potential gain.
 
At the very least, he is a name to watch in the coming month. A depth name that the Phillies did not have before today.
Philadelphia Phillies, Tommy Pham

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