The Royals are bolstering their outfield with a pair of veterans, as K.C. has claimed both Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman off waivers. The Athletic’s Katie Woo reported (X link) that Pham was claimed off the Cardinals’ waiver wire after St. Louis designated him for assignment yesterday, and MLB.com’s Anne Rogers (via X) reported that the Royals also claimed Grossman away from the Rangers. Texas placed Grossman on outright waivers on Thursday.
Because these additions were made before September 1, Pham and Grossman would be eligible for the Royals’ postseason roster if K.C. makes it into the playoff bracket. Coming off a dismal 106-loss season in 2023, the Royals have already far surpassed last year’s win total by posting a 75-61 record — Kansas City is in possession of the second AL wild card berth, and sit 2.5 games behind the Guardians for first place in the AL Central.
Despite this success, the outfield has been a clear weak link for K.C. for much of the season, and the ranks got even further thinned when Hunter Renfroe was placed on the injured list last week. Beyond losing Renfroe, the Royals’ lineup took another big hit when Vinnie Pasquantino suffered a broken thumb Thursday and will likely miss the rest of the regular season.
The Royals were one of several teams who had interest in Pham prior to the trade deadline, when Pham was a very obvious trade candidate as a veteran rental on a rebuilding White Sox team. The Cardinals ended up with Pham and Erick Fedde as part of a three-team trade involving the Dodgers and White Sox at the deadline, as St. Louis was hoping that Pham and right-hander Erick Fedde could boost both the lineup and rotation heading into the playoff stretch.
Unfortunately for Cards Nation, no surge materialized, as the Cardinals have an 11-16 record in August. Pham himself didn’t provide much help, hitting .206/.286/.368 over 77 plate appearances during his brief stint in a St. Louis uniform.
Since Pham both wanted more playing time and wanted to join a contender, he discussed the possibility of a release with the Cardinals, and that wish has now been fully granted with the move across Missouri to the Royals. From the Cardinals’ perspective, parting ways with Pham both created more outfield playing time for Jordan Walker, and saved a bit of payroll. Pham has roughly $480K remaining on his original $3MM salary for the 2024 season, and Kansas City will now foot the rest of that bill.
The switch-hitting Grossman also began his season as a member of the White Sox, but was traded in May back to the Rangers, as Texas was thin on right-handed hitting. Grossman was a known quantity in Arlington after being a regular for the 2023 World Series team, and he posted similar numbers in his second go-around as a Ranger, batting .238/.336/.362 over 122 PA for Texas this season.
The Rangers’ defense of their title has fallen far short of expectations, and thus the team put both Grossman and fellow outfielder Travis Jankowski on outright waivers to see if another team would clear a few dollars off the Rangers’ books. Grossman has about $240K remaining of his $1.5MM base salary, so it makes for another inexpensive add for the Royals.
Grossman has continued to mash left-handed pitching and Pham has continued to post solid numbers against southpaws as well, giving Kansas City two new options to work within the lineup. Either player could slot into Renfroe’s role as a regular right fielder who cedes some at-bats against righties to Adam Frazier, or either Pham or Grossman could spell MJ Melendez (another left-handed bat) in left field. With the DH spot also up for grabs, it isn’t hard to imagine Pham or Grossman moving into more or less everyday roles, at least until Renfroe is able to return.
The Royals will be the ninth team Pham has suited up with at the MLB level over the course of his 11 big league seasons, while Grossman is joining his eighth team in a 12-year career in the Show. The duo bring plenty of experience to a young Royals team, and we just need to look back to 2023 to see how Grossman and Pham (after he joined the Diamondbacks) can help out a playoff contender.
With a playoff berth hanging in the balance, general manager J.J. Picollo has now moved aggressively to try and address his team’s lineup needs before the September 1 cutoff date. Depending on what happens in the pennant race, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Royals make other additions to try and just get into October, even if any newcomers after September 1 wouldn’t be part of any playoff rosters.
Another new Clubhouse for him to be disruptive for. Good luck Royals.
Really wish Yahoo or ESPN would do the obvious and make him their fantasy football spokesperson and introduce him to levity.
Nicely done, sir!
Stoked I got to see Pham hit that home run live tonight! Loved him with the Mets!
Short hop on I-70
The nightlife in KC is about to go to the next level, “Strip club Tommy” is back in town, baby! Ahahaha!
lol
Idk, I guess it depends on what time I’m done w/your wife. Ahahahaha!
Oh really? I have 11 of them, which one? Btw, don’t forget you’re do back in the Enchanted Kigdom tomorrow, don’t make’em come looking for you again. Ahahahaha!
due*
You look at the teams that he no longer plays for. Why not look at the number of teams that continue to acquire him? This isn’t a Milton Bradley situation, where a player is no longer wanted by any team. Pham always has someone else in line for his services.
Nice pickup, hope he does well for you..
The royals needed outfield help this is a good add
The only question now is can both get to Houston by game time
That’s a good question, but nothing will stop the H-train from going to another ALCS
Pretty good fit for him there good for him.
Enjoy the clubhouse cancer!!
“clubhouse cancer”…I’m clearly not a Pham guy myself, but his reputation and personna are well known and K.C clearly felt their clubhouse was strong enough to withstand a prickly personality like Pham. I personally believe it’s less of an issue in a strong clubhouse with at least a couple of established team leaders.
Also, they’re adults and it’s entirely within their ability to ignore him and maintain a basic level of professionalism.
I think that’s an appalling mischaracterization of Tommy Pham. He’s a very committed player who works his a$$ off with a unswerving dedication to winning. Players and managers who give a s%$& about winning and the game of baseball respect the hell out of him. Players with a lackadaisical jock mentality who dislike putting in the work probably don’t like him because he makes them look bad.
He is committed to Fantasy Football. He also carries a negative WAR and apparently dislikes being tagged during critical plays like he did with the White Sox. Pham could be a great fit as that lackadaisical player who had all the talent in the world to be better than he was in his prime.
7 teams in three years. Maybe it’s him, and not everyone else.
They just got Robbie Grossman too
Robbie, Tommy and now Yuli. Royals didn’t have to do all this, but they did.
FO going for it like only a small market team FO can go for it. IE. if all 3 bomb, the owner can afford to cut ties. Here’s hoping at least one of the three helps get them to the post season.
Happy for Royals fans
It is the difference between a team that does something to compete with actual major league talent or does nothing and whines about injuries and coming up short every year.
Good for KC making moves.
At least he’s not with a cheapskate organization anymore that puts profits before fans. Good for him.
7 teams in three years. You need to be more specific.
‘Ole stabby back, spreading his bad vibes across the nation.
Good pickups for the Royals. Hopefully Tommy will behave
Mariners must be chucking it in. They were the 1 club may have been able to look past all the negatives involved and need any bat he might bring, yet they let him pass by and one of the better offenses in the AL grabbed him.
Time will tell if it helps, makes any bad situations in KC, or a washout pickup. mostly to me is Seattle standing pat with a DOA offense and a month left in the regular season.
Yes they should’ve grabbed Pham
“Righty bats”..@deepsea..Robles is a lefty isn’t he?
M’s have righty bats Arozarena, Robles and Julio in the OF. Not really room for Pham.
If we didn’t have Robles then I would agree with you. But really he would be pointless because there is nowhere for him to play. Otherwise I’m a big fan.
Been thinking the same. Seems like this would have been good move for Mariners. Couldn’t have hurt
No Vinny, no Renfroe, the Royals needed reinforcements. Pham can definitely light a fire for month for the Royals
Yes the Royals needed the help as well. Good pickups.
This guy gets passed around more than filhok’s mama
filhok’s mom has got it goin’ on
The Royals had their FFBL draft last night so all is good.
Yes, because everyone knows MLB players other than Pham are allowed to have hobbies, and people who play fantasy football are unable to fully commit to their real jobs.
With these last minute waiver deals, why not just go back to the old rules regarding waiver deals by 8/31?
Because those are old rules that aren’t in effect anymore. They have been superceded by these new rules.
I’m actually happy it’s not San Diego
I am also a Padres fan. Did you actually think that Pham might be coming to SD?
I didn’t see the fit. Peralta and any randos from AAA have the “not Tatis in the outfield” market cornered.
Eh, I didn’t think he’d be a good fit. Peralta has been good as a 4th OF/injury fill-in for Tatis.
If they were gonna go for another OF, it’d have to be a guy that can man all 3 spots (like say, Jankowski or Michael A. Taylor) to take Bryce Johnson’s spot.
Is there actually any evidence whatsoever that Pham is a clubhouse cancer? A quick google search doesn’t bring up any results (that aren’t fantasy football related with an opponent). I feel like he’s just an easy guy to pile on at this point and that moniker isn’t very accurate.
Guys with good careers don’t play on 10 teams. Been in fights, called innocent people racist
I’m not saying he’s a saint, but he’s been a declining veteran on poor teams who keeps getting picked up by contenders. The fact he’s moved around so much doesn’t really prove all that much to me. I know he’s had other issues with fans, but I’ve still yet to hear that he negatively impacted a clubhouse at any of his stops. The articles I’ve read actually argue the opposite.
“Not saying he’s a saint”…I think that the volatile, prickly Tommy Pham has proven many times during his career that he is preferable in tiny, small doses. Perhaps he can help KC in the next month replace some of their recently lost power and help solidify their playoff positioning. At that point KC can decide whether to carry him on their playoff roster.
On the other hand, everything I’ve heard about him on local St Louis radio is that the guys in the clubhouse love him. He’s an outspoken black man in America, hence all the piling on.
Got em! Awesome point!!!!!!! Yeah! Smoked em! Boom!
jdgoat you block me for questioning your high opinion of Patrick Corbin? What is wrong with you?
Pham has swung at Joc Pederson over fantasy football, got angry at Willson Contreras for tagging him on a big play (prepared to F somebody up), had a run-in with Padre fans while with Arizona, voice displeasure with the Cardinals the first time around that kicked off this clubhouse cancer talk. Try doing your own research jd.
He’s a contributor, rather than superstar. Every team needs a few. However, staying with the same team requires a rising salary, and teams don’t want to pay top dollar for contributors. Renfroe is another of his type. He moves frequently also.
If Pham really is the cancer that some fans claim he is, how is it that he has been on major league rosters for so many years? If he is really that bad, he should have been out of baseball years ago.
RH outfielder who can still hit lefties will continue to find a job somewhere.
So you are saying there is a shortage of RH hitters with platoon splits? I don’t think so.
I’m saying RHH outfielders who can still hit left handed pitching will continue to find a job. The shortage comment is your presumption.
@Thefrog It’s also possible that he is liked in the clubhouse but he tends to rub coaching staffs and front offices the wrong way. Not saying it’s the case. But players can get a long perfect with teammates, just those in authority feel the team getting a bit to independent and acting a bit wild or careless in regard to the rules.
Again I’m not saying its the case or have read anything on the matter. Seems possible though. He’s cast off frequently yet no real reports of issues with other players aside from the fantasy incident.
Again I’m not saying its the case or have read anything on the matter.
=======================
Anything is possible, but 7 teams in 3 years, for a semi-productive player is something I don’t recall seeing before. And players are pretty slow to criticize other players, so I wouldn’t count too much on that.
With the # of teams I’d think some former teammate(s) would ve spoke up by now. I agree though something seems off with how many teams he’s cycled through.
He’s played for so many teams because he’s always in demand at the trade deadline. And guys who play outfield with a platoon advantage don’t normally sign long term deals because they aren’t full time players.
They are not full time players because they are either a role player or a player teams want short term to get rid of guys with baggage.
Could (some) might simply say he’s his own worst enemy. The stabbing I alluded to few days back in ’20, over a verbal altercation he and another group were in and devolved into more outside the bar. he doesn’t seem to know when to zip it.
Have found numerous occasions on the internet of things he’s gotten “hit” for during games, gone off on rants about, some didn’t know existed like a fairly recent (23) game at HP in Chicago where he went into a verbal tirade during a chisox/brewers game.
He had some of those issues during his time with Boston year before, which was how learned mostly of his problems in the media there.
Some guys are just naturally abrasive and that seems to fit Pham perfectly.
Let me kind of throw out one of the foul dispositions and another one of my old stories from decades ago to kind of make a point here with bad attitudes in general some generally have.
one of the foulest, like every single time i saw him was Larry bowa. The guy had classic (to me) little feller syndrome. he never said hello, smiled.. just to me? full blown crab and it was every time (usually 2x) Philly made the trip from clearwater to winter haven for a ST game every year and he made the trip. It got so funny (to me) would make sure said hello to him simply to annoy him as the visiting bus unloaded and they entered the visiting clubhouse.
bowa finally it seemed grew tired of this 1 yr and shut the door on me, having one of their clubhouse ppl tell me had no permission to be there.. Hmm.. from then on, Thx to that little man I walked around with (then) RS VP Dick O’Connell’s signature on a piece of paper granting me permission on the field and in the clubhouse(s) before and after games. So that little man had done nothing.
Yes.. i saw him another spring is how will leave this story. Not 1 of the happy times from years back baseball wise, but the biggest attitude ever ran across in the game definately belonged to 1 of the smallest players.. 1 short statured and not physically imposing larry bowa.
@John This is not the first time you ve told such as story that nobody else has seem to have heard. And agin as the others no link validating the tale. It’s starting to seem as though there is a pattern.
Thank you for posting that — interesting. I recall Larry Bowa as the third base coach for the M’s under Sweet Lou with Lee Elia as bench coach. I bet those three broke the record for amount of f-bombs laid in the clubhouse haha.
You do realize Tiger that it would have been quicker doing an internet search for that chisox/brewer game than calling me a liar??
Stuff this…
nesn.com/2024/06/ex-red-sox-tommy-pham-goes-on-epi…
As for some link on my times with access to inside the Red Sox from the late 60’s to late 70’s? HAHA. It’s just with me, a few players, some still alive, some not (for the facts) and a few cherished letters i still have with the ones kept several ears afterward with the ones did keep in contact with.
Nitwits, who are nothing but jealous mostly of the extreme privledge i was afforded a little over a decade are what spoils the memories, that and when see that a dear friend from that time passes on.
The Athletic did an article on Pham last year that contradicted the clubhouse cancer narrative. They interviewed players that were teammates with Pham, Buck Showalter and Torey Luvello. They all that Pham is a serious guy, but a terrific teammate. Fans have zero knowledge of clubhouse culture. They’re just running with their assumptions, usually based upon some reporter’s speculation or their own feelings and/or prejudices about a certain person or people. If it’s not a player talking about their own clubhouse morale, I give talk about clubhouse culture no credibility.
The Athletic would push that narrative for their own agenda. Pham has had enough drama in his career to question his character. Good player, deserves a job in MLB, but let’s read between the lines when it comes to an article from the Athletic. They deserve healthy skepticism.
Actually, the D-Backs had only praise for Tommy! First time in St. Louis, traded to Tampa Bay to open up the outfield and cash. Tampa Bay players loved him. Snell and another player were agry with management for trading Tommy saying we need more like him. San Diego lost him due to Free Agency and Cinncinatti traded him to Boston for draft picks. Boston lost him due to Free Agency to the Mets, but Cora wanted him back in Boston. Mets traded him to Az D-Backs…helped them to World Series as stated by the manager and gm. He was not brought back because they need a left handed outfielder. Signed with White Sox, and had a good season until traded to St. Louis. He has never been a club house cancer. He plays the game hard!
Amazing one- season improvement by KC.
Well slap my face and call me Joc, this is a surprise.
Before anyone gets amped up over the additions of Pham, Grossman, and Yuli Gurriel, we have to consider why these guys were unemployed in the first place. Down years all the way around.
Yea, a bit sad that the Royals finally have a playoff shot and the GM (ownership refusing to spend?) dumpster dive for the homestretch.
After the trade deadline dumpster diving (signing a player off waivers) is the only option allowed for teams to acquire new players so the other option is to sit on your hands. It’s a young team, so these veterans could be very useful in intangible ways.
True, but they could have done way more at the trade deadline. They made some admirable additions in the offseason after a year where they competed with the ridiculously tanking A’s for record losses… but then they lose out on the public stadium funding vote and just aren’t doing much to add players that can help them go deep into the post season.
They acquired Harvey, Erceg and De Jong at the deadline.
All cheap and easy acquisitions of poorly performing players that didn’t require much in the way of salary or prospects. De Jong certainly has found new life in KC though.
Case is just ranting. KC might’ve had the best trading deadline moves in baseball.
Hate to be that after the fact guy, but I was actually thinking when he got out on waivers that KC would be a perfect fit for him, and he for them also.
Tommy Pham exhibits all the traits of an untreated alcoholic addict with delusions of grandeur and a very limited set of coping skills.
Yasiel Puig would be a better addition to your outfield KC. There’s probably a baker’s dozen of marginal mlb players out there that would be less disruptive too.
Wow, 2 former White Sox players picked up by the Royals? That is a twist. Usually its the other way round.
I get their outfield is pretty bad right now but I feel like these moves fail a lot more often than not. Seen with Pham on the Cards already, last year Angels brought guys in that didn’t work, Reds, Cards, and others. Almost too late in the season to bring in guys like this and expect them to just pick things up and hit immediately. But I could be wrong.
White Sox poach former Royals and everyone’s reaction is, “What are they thinking?” Royals poach former White Sox ought to be the same, but with even more surprise.
PHAM was never the same after George Michael went solo.
Should of dumped more players
Dude is so streaky that his nickname should be “Feast of Famine.”
I thought the Astros signed Pham?