The New York Mets lost Mike Tauchman to a knee injury recently, so they've signed Tommy Pham for outfield depth.
The New York Mets need outfield depth now that Mike Tauchman is out with a knee injury, so they’ve signed versatile outfielder Tommy Pham to a minor league deal pending a physical, with the move reported by Will Sammon of The Athletic and multiple other outlets.
Pham has played for the Mets before, and this has the potential to be an intriguing reunion. Back in 2023 Pham earned the respect of veterans like shortstop Francisco Lindor for his work ethic, according to Sammon, and when the team underachieved Pham told Lindor that “Out of all the teams I played on, this is the least-hardest working group of position players I’ve ever played with.”
The Mets have completely overhauled their roster since then, of course, although Pham’s comments do cast last year’s collapses in an interesting light. Pham will likely start his season at Syracuse, but he’s been known throughout his career as a fiery, unconventional player who can get hot and spur a team.
But he also has a way of wearing out his welcome, which is why he’s been with ten teams in his career. Pham is also especially remembered for the unusual fight and subsequent suspension he sparked with then-teammate Joc Pederson over some fantasy football issues, incredibly enough, back when they were with the Cincinnati Reds.
The size of Pham’s contract with the Mets indicate that he could be around, though, provided he can do a better job of getting along with his teammates and keeping some of his more incendiary comments to himself. Pham will make $2.25 with the Mets he can make with the majors, and according to Sammon his incentives could go as high as $3.1 million. Pham can play all three outfield positions well, and that may be part of the extra money in this deal.
The man he’s replacing, outfielder Mike Tauchman, pulled up lame in a game against the Houston Astros late in spring training, and an MRI confirmed a meniscus tear. His recovery time is estimated at six weeks, and given the strong spring Tauchman had before his knee issues started, it will be interesting to see if Pham replaces him in Citi Field.
One determining factor behind this move will be the ongoing progress of rookie right fielder Carson Benge. Benge announced his presence in the Mets lineup on Opening Day with a home run, two walks and a stolen base, but if he does slump Pham represents a solid backup option.