Tommy Pham is one of the many free agents still without a contract for 2022, and the lockout has only added to the uncertainty facing Pham’s market following a pair of underwhelming seasons with the Padres. However, Pham is looking to increase his positional value, with The Tampa Bay Times’ Marc Topkin writing that the veteran outfielder is “open to playing first base if needed.”
Specifically, Pham said he would be interested in playing first base in a second stint with the Rays, as Pham played in Tampa during the 2018-19 seasons. The Rays are known to be looking for a right-handed hitting first base option, and a reunion with Pham would be a creative way of addressing that need. It stands to reason that if Pham is willing to take on a new position with the Rays, he is also willing to pick up a first base glove with other contenders who might come calling, and perhaps non-contenders as well.
Pham took a frank view of his pending free agency last September, saying that “I didn’t play well enough” in 2021 and that he was “fully prepared to take a one-year deal and reestablish my market.” Pham was still a slightly above-average hitter in the view of wRC+ (102) and OPS+ (103), as he batted .229/.340/.383 with 15 home runs over 561 plate appearances with San Diego. That kind of production and playing time is itself an impressive accomplishment considering that Pham was coming off a terrifying stabbing incident in October 2020 that threatened his life.
A case can be made that Pham was pretty unlucky at the plate last year, considering that his .354 xwOBA was significantly higher than his .318 wOBA. Between that glaring differential and his still solid hard-contact numbers, Pham could well be a bounce-back candidate to watch in 2022. In fact, he seems exactly like the type of relatively inexpensive veteran the Rays would traditionally target in free agency, as the team would bet that a healthy Pham could match or better the production of a player with a heftier price tag.
Pham played 37 games at shortstop in his very first season of pro ball, way back in 2006 with the Cardinals’ rookie ball affiliate. Since then, he has exclusively played in the outfield, and mostly in left field since the start of the 2019 season. Among the publicly available statistics for measuring defense, the Outs Above Average metric has been very down (-17) on Pham’s left field glovework over the last three seasons, while UZR/150 (-1.1) and Defensive Runs Saved (-3.3) are at least passable, if trending downward.
With this in mind, a change in positions might be a logical pivot for a veteran player looking to extend his career. Pham turns 34 in March, and he’d need a big year at the plate (no matter the position) to line himself up for a nice multi-year contract next winter, if he does indeed opt for just a one-year contract during this trip to the open market. While health issues have hampered Pham over the last two years, he isn’t far removed from a very strong five-year stretch of hitting .277/.373/.472 over 2110 PA with the Cardinals and Rays from 2015-19.
so am I, and I’m just as likely to start a tangible number of games at 1st this year.
DarkSide, games in your softball league aren’t quite the same.
Tommy Pham is open to playing any position after the season he had last year. I think he might actually be a good pickup for the price. I’m just saying it’s no surprise he isn’t being picky. He can’t afford to after looking like garbage. This is the same guy that called Ozzie Albies an idiot for accepting a guaranteed $45 million contract with 5 years of control left. He should have just worried about earning his own money.
He’s also the same guy that put down Cash’s managerial decisions during post game interviews, and complained about Ray’s fan attendance. There was a reason he was shipped out of Tampa. I don’t see a reunion happening w/ the Rays…..Snell was another one that was traded away due to having an attitude.
Sounds a little like Albert “don’t call me Joey” Bell
“impressive accomplishment considering that Pham was coming off a terrifying stabbing incident in October 2020 that threatened his life.”
Yeh, we’re living in todays baseball world where .229 is an impressive accomplishment…..but the almighty 15 HR’s….across 560+ plate appearances…..talk about keeping the line moving NOT!
Playing at the major league level after being stabbed is rather impressive.
And if you’re still looking at his low .229 batting average as an evaluation of his performance instead of focusing on his above-average .340 OBP, you’re not “living in today’s baseball world.”
OPS is the best offensive stat to value, but at least nobody mentioned WAR.
OPS is very good, though it weights OBP and SLG the same despite them being on different scales (OBP 0-1.000, SLG 0-4.000).
I like OPS+ because it considers home park and scoring era. An OPS of 850 in 1968 for a Giants player would be much more impressive than the same number for a Rockies player in 2001.
gbs – That’s a great point about the different scales which most people don’t realize. But it makes sense though, right? A homerun by Ortiz is 4 times more valuable than a walk by JD Drew.
I would like OPS+ if I felt more confident in it’s accuracy. Park Factors should definitely be accounted for, but every formula I’ve seen for it omits several key components.
Fever – I definitely agree a HR is much more valuable than a walk. Exactly how much more, I’m not sure.
Park factors definitely get iffy, especially for new parks. And one park factor for everything isn’t right. Some parks increase homers for lefties (Yankee Stadium), while others favor righties (Camden Yards until they move the LF fence back). And there are similar effects on everything else. Even foul ball outs differ. I remember reading that O.co Stadium has a lot more foul territory than some parks, so more foul pop-ups are caught.
Trying to work all that into a “+” stat is very difficult. Maybe a different version that just accounted for league-wide scoring levels would be helpful. I just wouldn’t want someone to tell me Dante Bichette (835 career OPS) was clearly a better hitter than Vada Pinson (769 career OPS), for example.
gbs – A walk is one base, a homerun is 4 bases. Hence the 1.000 to 4.000 scale differential.
Same thing with regard to runs. A walk can score a maximum of one run, a homerun can score a maximum of four runs.
Yeah so many different components when it comes to park factors. Wind blowing in vs wind blowing out. Cold and dry in April, warm and humid in August. Absolutely foul territory is a factor, there’s a ton of it in Oakland and very little in Fenway.
You know what I use as an alternative to OPS+? Road OPS.
Pinson’s .745 Road OPS is slightly better than Bichette’s .730 so I agree Dante was not a better hitter than Vada.
OPS+ is good but it’s also popular because it’s easy for the average fan to figure out from looking at a slash line. I actually prefer wRC+. They are both very similar but I think wRC+ is more accurate.
Next time bite your tongue and keep walking to your car outside those strip clubs in seedy areas.
I’m sure Tommy Pham would be willing to do just about anything if he gets paid handsomely enough.
I’m sure the same could be said about pretty much all of us.
gbs42 – Speak for yourself; I know many people who don’t worship the almighty dollar.
gbs – The late Meatloaf would do anything for money, but he won’t do that.
Tommy Pham at phirst? That idea most be coming from left field…
Ba dum, tsk
This is phar phrom phinalized though.
LOL!!!!! Agreed… and Mastery!
So, the Phphillies? /s
I thought Tommy moved to the outfield because of his vision issues? Aside from catcher, I’d think both corner infield positions require razor sharp vision. I think the Friars will bring him back on a one year low risk contract.
Did he also move home plate back because of his vision issues? I think he can do it? Getting a ball from 3rd might be kinda concerning, but if he can hit a baseball going 100+ mph even with the batting drop they have everywhere I’d think he can do it?
“moved to the outfield?”
He’s only ever played the outfield in his major league career.
Also, he has custom contact lenses to correct his vision issues.
He was a pitcher and an infielder (SS) when he was drafted. Cards “MOVED HIM TO THE OUTFIELD” which often happens during development of professional athletes.
And, he doesn’t hit enough to be a strictly DH guy.
“To emphasize his point, Pham added “I’d even play for the Pirates if I had to…”.”
That actually fits, since the 1B options on the 40 for the Bucks are another Rays castoff (Tsutsugo) and a Red Sox castoff (Chavis); and a non-40 AAAA-type in Mason Martin, who hits HR and does nothing else. Pham has anger-management issues but does get great hard contact.
If you’re the Pirates, it’s a case of “why not?”. RH power is still a tradeable commodity come July 31.
Fits with the above-mentioned Mariners, too. 3M maybe?
I feel like the Pirates are primed for another Derek Bell operation shutdown situation. The team clearly needs to sign a few veterans just to field a team essentially, kinda hoping one of them is honest enough to say he doesn’t actually want to be playing for the Pirates but couldn’t find a better deal/situation.
Plenty of playing time though. I don’t think how good the team is weighs as much on most players’ minds as you think it does. Well behind money, playing time, and comfort level with the city. Most pro athletes are not competitive in an all consuming, obsessive way. They just go about doing their jobs like all of us, with the weird little addition that tens of thousands of people watch them do it.
If a marginal guy like a 34 year old Tommy Pham gets a full time gig with the Pirates, he’s gonna take it and be very happy he got it.
If the new CBA establishes a “salary floor” , then the Pirates, Orioles and other low budget teams will need to “load up” on bargain bin free agents to bump their low payrolls up to minimum threshold levels or face revenue sharing cuts and draft pick down grades.
He would be a good match for the Red Sox, who have the rather iffy OF bunch of Verdugo, Bradley Jr, and Duran out there right now, That is not a contender type outfield. All three of thee guys are lefties who could probably use a righty stick out there to complement them, especially with both Duran and Bradley having performances last year that did not cut the mustard.
I agree. I still like Suzuki, but if the RS choose Story over Suzuki, I’d take a shot at Pham to play LF and have Verdugo in RF. Maybe a .775 OPS with a decent glove? Nothing special, but on a one-year contract, with a player motivated to come back, he could work.
I’m still pretty skittish over last year’s offensive collapse by the Yanks. As such, I am looking for offensive upgrades anywhere the Yanks can find them.
So: Pham > Gardner.
As much as I hate to type that.
Come on Ducky…just what the Yankees need….a 34 defensively challenged outfielder who hits .229…and I don’t care he’s a lefty…..
Agree that the Yankees need to move on from Gardy….maybe make him a minor league coach, but they can do much better than Pham.
Well, he’s really 33, is basically average in the OF (yet can still cover CF), & is a RH bat.
But aside from those details, he has a career OPS of .801, & even his .724 of last year would have helped. Put up 15 jacks & 14 steals too. & he is also a tough SOB.
I’m certainly not advocating for him.
& definitely not as some type of key acquisition or whatever. Yet, as part of a series of additions he could be a useful player on our squad. I would rather have a “better” player myself. Doesn’t mean he wouldn’t improve us though.
Just don’t know where this love affair that Suzuki supposedly has with Boston comes from……Boston beat writers and bloggers probably, and Story is not signing to play the outfield…its been written and discussed over and over again here and other baseball publications…..why would he sign to play a position he’s never played before of course if he has no other options to play for big money but it would definitely cost the RS BIG money to convince him to do that…..he’ll have options at SS that will present themselves after the lockout…..please no more Story to CF comments and stop with the Boston love affair with/from Suzuki!
rocky71 hour ago
…..please no more Story to CF comments and stop with the Boston love affair with/from Suzuki!
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I’m not sure where the Story to CF thing comes from. If the RS sign him, he will likely play 2nd.
IRT to the Suzuki rumors, they’ve all been out there for a while. I generally don’t trust the writers, but it would be odd to see all of them having the same rumor. And then there was the Koji thing. I doubt he’d have said anything unless he had some more information.
But, of course, that is what the “rumors” in MLB Rumors comes from.
I agree the Sox need to add a RHH outfielder, though I don’t think Pham is the answer (they’re going hard after Suzuki, despite what the writers at this site keep insisting.). But you’re also forgetting that Kikè played 93 games in CF and had some of the best defensive metrics on a rate basis at the position
They can go as hard after Suzuki as they want…and its not just writers on this site…so will 10 other teams and they are either situated on the correct coast or closer to home for consideration…..do you really think Suzuki is that in love with Boston Chowder?
No but he is in love with Boston dollars, I can guarantee you that. If the Sox want him enough, he’s theirs. I don’t think they do (they’d rather keep Schwarber or splurge on Bryant or even Conforto).
I was pondering a trade with Toronto for their minor league catcher Moreno, with Nicki Pivetta going the other way. The Sox are in a position to trade for an outfielder, Toronto has a Hernandez as well, Pivetta, Kelly Downs, and Blaze Jordan for Moreno and Hernandez. We corner the market on outfielders named Hernandez, pick up a catching prospect, and Toronto gets a starting pitcher and two top ten prospects. That should get the deal done.
Not a chance. First Jays don’t need starting pitching. Second the Sox aren’t trading their 3rd starter and Blaze to a division rival when both are competitive. Third that is a terrible trade for Boston. Have you ever watched baseball?
First of all that trade is heavily in favor of Boston not Toronto. Moreno is one of the best catching prospects in the game if not the best and Hernandez is better than every hitter on the Red Sox roster so giving up a good prospect in Jordan along with Pivetta and Jeter Downs, who by the way can’t hit a lick is silly. That’s not even bringing up the fact that Hernandez will have to get paid at some point and Boston is trying not to pay anyone. I think people are way over rating Nick Pivetta. Top catching prospects have more value than you apparently realize.
It favors Boston by a huge amount. I actually like Jordan & Downs, but Moreno would cost something closer to Casas & Downs. And Hernandez is > Pivetta. Pivetta has three years left, while Hernandez has only two, but Hernandez is an AS.
Teoscar is nowhere near as good a hitter as Devers, Bogaerts, or even JD Martinez. He’s not the part of that proposed trade that’s dumb. Moreno is just about the most valuable minor league asset in baseball.
ellis – I can see why you’re not one of the players being considered by NESN to call games. Haha!
Last year Toronto had just the 6th-best WAR in the league for starting pitchers.
They lost 6.7 in Ray/Matz and got 5.2 in Gausman/Garcia.
Even if Ryu, Berrios and Manoah don’t regress, they still will be middle of the pack in starting pitching.
seamaholic 23 hours ago
Teoscar is nowhere near as good a hitter as Devers, Bogaerts, or even JD Martinez.
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Teoscar has a better OPS+ than all three of them over the past two seasons. Silver Slugger in 2020 & 2021. That has to mean something.
lol!
Pham most be a phony. Did he phorge his signature on a contract? Phirst & phoremost, is he still a legit player? Let’s phit that into a phamiliar phoremat. Phor my peace of mind let’s phigure this out. It’s a Phoregone conclusion, he’s phrightened he won’t get a contract.
Mastery!!!!!!
Far from it.
Phar phrom it, you mean.
No, I really don’t.
For a big, multi year contract, I am sure he is open to acting as part time team mascot,
serving hot dogs on the plaza level, catering the clubhouse and playing multiple positions on the field. But, he draws the line at doing team laundry lol!
Might as well take a stab at it.
OUCH!
I’m sure he can poke out the right moves.
Rangers look into signing this guy
Pham must be spending too much on strippers. Thinks learning a new position will get him more cash…
If he’s spending that much he might as well date one. At least he’s only at risk of getting shanked by her and not by some drunk ass cholo.
His SI article still has me rolling. PAY ME Muthaf****r!!!
He needs more $$$ to hire a few body guards for his strip club runs…
Pham needs 3 more home runs for 100 and 11 more stolen bases for 100.
And he needs $20 more dollars in $1 bills to tip the strippers in whatever city he ends up in for the 2022 season.
lol!
Pham is 34. He’s getting nothing but one year contracts for the rest of his career no matter how well he plays in 2022. He could play the Shane Victorino role in Boston this year if they don’t land Suzuki. Victorino was a much better fielder though.
I was thinking it could be a bold Chaim Bloom move. Maybe he will use him at 1B.
Never mind. If we keep Dalbec at 1b, we wouldn’t need another RH bat
Article was clearly sponsored by Pham’s agent
I can see a fit with the Guardians too. Nobody’s better dealing with “issue-types” than Tito, and Pham’s numbers work for that lineup.
I don’t think Pham is an “issue-type” necessarily… dude’s an outspoken guy who works his butt off and expects others to do the same. He has carried a chip on his shoulder since being repeatedly passed by as a minor leaguer with the Cards… Only recently has his play taken a real dip, while he has been hampered by injuries. That’s a risk in itself, but I’d rather have a guy with Pham’s attitude than someone who is content being lazy and subpar. Definitely think that he’d work well under Tito, though… but really, who wouldn’t? Tito is as good as they come.
Cards didn’t pass on him. They stuck with him and believed in him as they worked with him on his vision issues. SI stopped being a sports magazine several years ago when they began publishing poorly researched, opinionated articles in order to advance their personal agendas. He’s a liar. At least this time he’s not whining about fake racism.
Cheap outfield help and subpar defense at multiple positions…. This has reds written all over it.
I could see Stearns and the Brewers signing him to platoon with Tellez, add depth to a injury plagued OF corps and even
DH if it becomes universal.
Good idea. He needs to stay away from anything with a pole in it.
Hysterical how everybody thinks anybody can move to 1st base since it has “little defensive value.”
It does have less defensive value than other positions. And it requires the least athleticism. Generally it’s the easiest position to move to.
While true it does require quick, soft hands. There’s far less reaction time to a throw skipping a few feet in front of you than on the grass.
It’s a different skill set and not everyone has it.
“It’s not that hard, tell him Wash…”
It’s extremely hard
I was hoping the A’s can sign him. He’s effective and should be cheap. 2022 will be his age 34 season so 1B/DH and maybe 30-40 games in the OF is what you can hope for. His defense in the OF is gone.
I don’t think his defense in the OF is unplayable. He grades out terribly for Outs Above Average because he doesn’t make very many low probability catches. He also doesn’t really make errors either though, and he’s pretty consistent in terms of safe/good decisions out there, even if he’s not getting to as many tough balls as he should.
My opinion from watching him last year is that he’s below average on defense because his range is diminishing, but he’s still passable in LF.
No thanks! Keep this dude and the boulder on his shoulder away from TB.
Yanks