Tommy Pham Acquired by the Mets Amidst Slump
The New York Mets have decided to call up outfielder Tommy Pham, according to sources. This decision comes at a critical moment, with the team mired in a five-game losing streak and the absence of Juan Soto due to injury.
Pham, 38, signed a minor league contract with the organization on March 26. The agreement included a base salary of $2.25 million if he made it to the Major Leagues, plus $850,000 in potential performance bonuses and a termination clause on April 25.
The veteran reported to the Mets’ spring training facilities in Florida, participating in five games for the Class A-low team, St. Lucie, where he batted 3-for-12 with a double and three walks. This will be Pham’s second stint with the Mets.
Before the 2023 season, Pham signed a one-year, $6 million contract with New York. In 79 games, he batted .268 with an OPS of .820 before being traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks at the trade deadline. He played a crucial role in Arizona’s surprising run to the World Series.
In the past season, playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pham batted .245 with 10 home runs and an OPS of .700 in 120 games, demonstrating his ability to contribute offensively.
The Mets must make room on the active roster for Pham, who will join the team in Los Angeles for the start of the series against the Dodgers on Monday. The Mets’ management expects his incorporation to boost a team that has struggled, including a home sweep against the Athletics and only nine runs scored during the five-game losing streak, with six of those runs in Saturday’s 11-6 loss to the A’s.
These difficulties coincide with the absence of Soto, who was the team’s hottest hitter before injuring his left calf against the San Francisco Giants on April 3 and being placed on the injured list three days later.
