UPDATE: The White Sox officially announced the deal on Tuesday morning.
According to MLB.com’s Juan Toribio, the one-year deal is worth $3 million and includes $1.5 million in incentives. The White Sox outbid the San Diego Padres, who also offered Pham.
Another veteran has found his way to the South Side.
According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the White Sox are closing in on an agreement with outfielder Tommy Pham on a minor-league deal. This is to allow Pham to get ready for the season without having to sign him to a major league deal and pass him through waivers.
Pham, 36, is coming off a strong run with the Mets and Diamondbacks last season, lasing .256/.328/.446 across 481 plate appearances in 2023. His .279/.297/.475 postseason slash line helped the Diamondbacks reach the 2023 World Series as well. According to Rosenthal’s article, Pham held out all offseason, waiting for an offer he felt was commensurate with his value. His age, according to Rosenthal, appeared to be a principal reason why clubs were reluctant to sign him.
With Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert Jr. down with injuries, Andrew Benintendi struggling, and Robbie Grossman and Kevin Pillar serving as the only two outfielders on the roster who can hit right-handed, Pham makes sense as a piece to fill in. However, the puzzling piece is in regards to Chris Getz’s vision for this ballclub – most importantly, what he is trying to get out of the 2024 season.
Perhaps Pham can be traded at the deadline and give the White Sox a bit of value in return – it’s more likely, however, that Pham is among those veterans who block a player like Oscar Colas from getting an extended, unimpeded look at the major league level.
As this move becomes official, we will provide any updates from either Chris Getz or Pedro Grifol.
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