It’s rough out there for a free agent. Unless you can pitch, you might’ve settled for less than you thought you were getting. Former New York Mets outfielder Tommy Pham has signed a deal to go from the National League pennant Arizona Diamondbacks to the worst team in Major League Baseball, the Chicago White Sox.
This isn’t just any deal either. Pham, now 36, will technically be on a minor league split contract. Like J.D. Martinez, he’ll have an opportunity to ramp up on the farm before the White Sox promote him to the big league roster. He can opt out if not recalled by April 25.
Even though he doesn’t feel completely ready, the White Sox could definitely use him already. Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada, and Luis Robert are on the IL. They currently have a 2-14 record. They trail the awful Miami Marlins by a half game. This week, an even more forgettable former Mets player was also signed to a deal. In related news, Julio Teheran, a former Mets signing, has also inked a minor league contract. It so happens that he will also seek to represent Chicago. The distinction is that he intends to play for the Chicago Cubs on the North Side of the city.
After blowing his one chance with the Mets against the Atlanta Braves a little over a week ago, the team immediately designated him for assignment. The short leash was a bit harsh but sent a statement. The Mets aren’t going to tolerate carrying a player around if they can dump him.
A temporary stay in Queens seems to have been for the best. New York turned to Jose Butto who, once again, went six strong and allowed them to pick up a win late on Sunday. The flexibility the Mets have with Butto and his minor league options along with the ability to learn just how good he can be is far more valuable than several mediocre starts out of Teheran.
Pham is expected to join the White Sox sooner than later after what they’re hoping is a short stint in the minors. It’s amazing that someone who did so well with the Mets in a part-time role last year and intensified the Diamondbacks on the way to the World Series would basically become the geek at the carnival. This feels like the plot to Nightmare Alley with one exception: if Pham performs well, he can put himself in a spot as a rare way-too-early trade candidate. He’ll get an additional $500K if the White Sox do move him and why wouldn’t they?
