2023 Trade Profile: Tommy Pham

There are two weeks until the trade deadline. Given we are not sure if the Mets will be sellers or not—the next week will tell—we’re going to run some profiles of some Mets and where they could potentially land at the deadline if traded.

Position: Outfielder
Bats/Throws: R/R
Age: 35 (March 8, 1988)

2023 Traditional Stats: 239 PA, .271/.347/.476/.823, 57 H, 9 HR, 34 RBI, 25 BB, 52 K
2023 Advanced Stats: 128 wRC+, 21.8 K%, 10.5 BB%, .316 BABIP, .389 xwOBA, 1.3 WAR

Rundown

The New York Mets never expected to be sellers in 2023, but unfortunately, that seems to be the reality of their situation with two weeks until trade deadline. A few names have been discussed as potential assets to move on from, one of which is Tommy Pham. The outfielder signed a one-year deal for $6 million, a decision that has paid off for the player and the organization.

Pham began the season as the fourth outfielder, playing two or three times a week. For a player who had been used to playing everyday throughout his career, that was a difficult adjustment for the veteran. On May 16, his batting average was all the way down to .188. The Mets called up Mark Vientos earlier that week, a move that was expected to make more at bats from Pham. But from that point on, he [Pham] turned a corner at the plate.

The 35-year-old recorded at least one hit in four of his seven starts to finish the month of May, which gave him a different level of confidence. Pham was phenomenal in throughout June, slashing .349/.387/.640/1.027 with six home runs, 18 runs batted in and six walks in 21 starts. The team finished the month with a record of 7-19, which really took away from what Pham accomplished.

Pham’s rise over the last two months makes him a very appealing target for teams looking to add an outfielder who can also act as a right-handed designated hitter. His hard-hit rate (42.2%) is above 40% for the first time since the 2020 season. Even when he records an out, the ball is hit on a line, straight to a fielder. His line drive percentage (24.8%) has not been above 24% since 2016, which just points to where Pham is at right now.

If the Mets do elect to trade him, a playoff contender will be getting a right-handed bat that can make an immediate impact. Pham is having one of the best seasons of his 10-year career, which is a credit to him and his drive to craft out an everyday role. Assuming his groin injury is not much of a concern (he played in just one of three games this weekend after tweaking it the previous Sunday), Pham could be on a new team by the trade deadline.

Potential Landing Spots

1: New York Yankees

The Yankees have a few holes they’d like to fill before the deadline, including depth at the corner outfield slots. If they can’t acquire Juan Soto or Cody Bellinger, Pham would be a cheaper alternative.

2: Minnesota Twins

The Twins currently hold a 1.5 game lead over the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central, so it seems as if Minnesota is going to be cautious buyers at the deadline. They rank 21st in all of baseball with 4.27 runs per game, so addressing the offense is critical. They’re also one of the worst teams against left-handed pitching. Pham would step right into the middle of their order and add something different.

3: Cincinnati Reds

Could a potential reunion be on the cards for Pham and the Reds? Cincinnati has plenty of young stars, but adding a veteran who has experience being in a playoff push wouldn’t hurt. The Reds need a few more pieces to stay in touch with the Milwaukee Brewers at the top of their division. Bringing Pham back to Cincinnati would certainly help in their quest to make the postseason.