Ex-Met Tommy Pham nearing deal with White Sox to end months-long search for next team

· New York Post

Tommy Pham is closing in on a deal with the White Sox after spending the past five months looking for his next MLB club, The Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed

The deal would be a minor-league contract that allows them to start Pham in the minors and then call him up when they feel he’s ready, though Heyman doesn’t anticipate promotion to the big leagues would take long. 

Pham is coming off one of his best seasons since 2019 and helped the Diamondbacks reach the World Series after he was traded to Arizona by the Mets.

Tommy Pham started last season with the Mets before getting traded. Robert Sabo for the NY Post

Pham hit .256/.328/.446 while recording 22 stolen bases, 16 home runs and 68 RBIs in 129 games between the Mets and Diamondbacks. 

Pham was among the veteran players that the Mets dealt near the trade deadline as they reshaped their focus after it was clear they wouldn’t be competing in 2023. 

The 36-year-old had a slash line of .279/.297/.475 and thee home runs during the postseason run with Arizona that ended in a 4-1 series defeat to the Rangers in the World Series. 

While he had a productive 2023, he reportedly struggled to find what he felt was a fair deal during the offseason, according to The Athletic, before finally seeming to find a deal with the White Sox that would get him back out on the field. 

The news about Pham comes at a time when the White Sox are dealing with a number of injuries across the board, and the 36-year-old’s presence could be a big help for the club.

Tommy Pham went to the World Series with the Diamondbacks after getting traded ahead of the deadline. AP

Designated hitter Eloy Jiménez is out with a left adductor strain, outfielder Luis Robert Jr. is down with a right hip flexor strain and third baseman Yoan Moncada is dealing with a left adductor strain of his own. 

Chicago compiled an abysmal 2-13 start through their first 15 games of the season.