The New York Mets made a free agent addition shortly before their Opening Day matchup against Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, March 26, agreeing to terms with veteran outfielder Tommy Pham.
Jorge Castillo of ESPN was first to report that Pham had inked a minor league pact with the Mets. The 12-year veteran will get $2.25 million if he makes it to the majors, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. He can make another $850K in incentives. Pham can opt out of the contract if he isn’t in the big leagues by April 25.
The 38-year-old Pham spent last season with the Pirates. He provided a 94 wRC+ in 449 plate appearances as Pittsburgh’s primary left fielder. Pham hit 10 home runs and chipped in five stolen bases. Despite his advanced age, Pham was good for 5 Defensive Runs Saved across 924.2 innings in left field last season.
New York Mets Free Agent Addition: Tommy Pham Agrees to Minor League Deal
GettyTommy Pham will get $2.25 million if he reaches the majors with the Mets.
This is Pham’s second stint with the Mets. He spent the first half of the 2023 campaign in New York. The outfielder slashed a strong .268/.348/.472 with the club, but was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks at the trade deadline. Pham scuffled to a 92 wRC+ after joining the Snakes.
Pham’s 12-year career has included stops with 10 different MLB teams. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 16th round of the 2006 draft. Pham didn’t debut with St. Louis until 2014 as a 26-year-old. Even then, it was just a six-game stint with the big-league club. Pham earned part-time work over the next few seasons with the Cardinals. He was dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays at the 2018 trade deadline.
The Rays gave Pham the regular opportunities he wasn’t getting with the Cardinals. The versatile outfielder reached a career-high 570 plate appearances in 2019. He popped 21 home runs and stole 25 bases. Pham trimmed his strikeout rate to a career-low 18.8%.
Tampa Bay dealt Pham to the San Diego Padres that offseason. It was an intriguing swap that included a handful of future big-league regulars. Jake Cronenworth also went to the Friars, with Hunter Renfroe and Xavier Edwards heading to the Rays. The trade set off a series of team changes for Pham. From 2022 through 2024, he played for the Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, Mets, Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, Cardinals, and Kansas City Royals.
Will Pham Make the Mets’ Roster?
The big news for the Mets’ Opening Day roster was top prospect Carson Benge making the squad. The 23-year-old was able to hold off MJ Melendez and Ronny Mauricio for the final spot. Benge is expecting to handle regular right field duties, with Luis Robert Jr. in center field and Juan Soto in right field.
Pham’s best path to the big leagues is likely as the right-handed fourth outfielder. The veteran has a career .802 OPS against left-handed pitching, compared to a .753 mark versus righties. Tyrone Taylor is currently occupying that role, but he posted a miserable 70 wRC+ in 2025.
Mets Land 12-Year Veteran Free Agent Ahead of Opening Day