The Mets’ search for a right-handed hitting outfielder continues. They were connected earlier this week to Andrew McCutchen, though he agreed to terms with the Pirates earlier today. The Mets have also had reported interest in Adam Duvall and Trey Mancini, but Jon Heyman of The New York Post reports that Tommy Pham is another name they are now considering.
Pham, 35, was drafted by the Cardinals in 2006 but didn’t truly breakout as a major leaguer until over a decade later. In 2017, when Pham was 29, he hit 23 home runs and stole 25 bases. He also drew walks at a healthy 13.4% clip, leading to an overall batting line of .306/.411/.520. That production was 49% better than league average by measure of wRC+ and Pham was worth 6.3 wins above replacement that year, in the eyes of FanGraphs.
Pham would continue putting up really good numbers for a few more years with the Cardinals and Rays, but there’s been dip over the past few seasons. He was with the Padres for 2020 and 2021 but hit just .226/.335/.370 over those seasons for a wRC+ of 98, indicating he was 2% below league average. He reached free agency and signed with the Reds for 2022, later going to the Red Sox in a deadline deal. He finished the year with a combined batting line of .236/.312/.374 between the two clubs, good enough for a wRC+ of 89. His walk rate, which was in the 13% range for much of his prime, slipped to 9%. Most fans probably remember his fantasy football-related slap of Joc Pederson more than anything Pham did in a game last year.
Despite those recent struggles, there could be a case for Pham to carve out a part-time role on a strong Mets’ roster. The regular outfield is already set, with Brandon Nimmo, Mark Canha and Starling Marte in the three full-time jobs. The left-handed swinging Daniel Vogelbach seems to be lined up to get the bulk of the time at designated hitter, with the right-handed Darin Ruf on hand to potentially serve as a fourth outfielder and spell Vogelbach against lefties. However, Ruf hit just .152/.216/.197 after coming over to the Mets in a trade with the Giants last year, and the club probably wants to find another option that gives them some more confidence.
Pham has hit lefties better in his career, producing a 132 wRC+ against them but a 110 against righties. That still carried into 2022, as he limped to an 81 wRC+ against righties but produced a 115 figure versus southpaws. Though he’s no longer a threat to steal 25 bases, he did swipe eight last year. Statcast also thinks the tools are still in there, with Pham ranking in the 93rd percentile in terms of exit velocity, 86th in maximum exit velocity, 89th in hard hit rate, 74th in arm strength and 66th in sprint speed.
It seems as though the Mets are focused on adding a right-handed hitting outfielder as their next move, having been connected to McCutchen, Duvall, Mancini and Pham in recent days. The free agent market also features Brian Anderson as well as switch-hitters Robbie Grossman and Jurickson Profar.
The day wouldn’t be complete without a “Mets are interested” post.
You don’t have to click on them. Sorry that your team isn’t active
He wasn’t complaining dude way to be a an ass
Shame…shame on you
@joeyroc
The complaint is that YOUR team isn’t active at the moment, either, but it’s getting coverage anyway. Cleveland, Detroit, Arizona, hell, every team, is “interested” in adding somebody. Where are those articles?
That’s right, I forgot how needy New York fans are. Gotta be something daily or they feel forgotten.
Mets should start to be embarrassed, anyone with a pulse is potentially a Met.
We found the guy with the victim mentality
@Joey, cut back on that 10th cup of coffee. It wasn’t a complaint, just a slightly humorous observation.
Joey: loser comment of the day. Congratulations.
Agreed. It’s becoming ridiculous.
Phew! Pham will completely lessen the blow of not signing CC.
met – Perhaps Uncle Steve is an owner of Sapphire? That would make a Pham signing a win-win.
“Nevermind the paycheck, Stevie… can I just get table credits and bottle service?”
add McCutchen to the list
Oh no!
NYM interested in a 35 y/o since a 36 y/o is no longer available.
Step in the right direction for Los Viejos Mets.
Don’t worry. Eventually, Cohen will learn that having a team of elderly doesn’t always work out.
Says “Old” York…
If Cohen can secure VIP passes for the local strip clubs then they have a good shot at signing him.
And security! Homie got stabbed while here in San Diego outside the Strip Club.
Also, don’t let ole boy set up y’all’s fantasy team. He takes that ish super serious!
They must need someone in case Joc Pederson gets out of hand.
Not sure he’d add to an already pretty solid Mets clubhouse culture ♂️
The Mets are putting the “old” in solid.
Pham, how to describe him? Not a good outfielder, hits below average, strikes out, has a weird attitude, with a little power.
And I heard he has a gambling problem. At 35, he doesn’t have a ton of seven figure payday years ahead of him.
Tom Tom Tom Tom Tommy Pham
Tom Tom Tom Tom Tommy Pham
Oh Tommy Pham.., were ya gonna land?
Tommy Pham
What the hell ya doin’ to get ‘em hissing and a-booing Tommy Pham?
Good, but it’s missing a guitar solo
Who AREN’T the Mets interested in?
Me. I checked with my agent and he said no calls from the Mets.
rct
No call back from Mets since you took that physical? Don’t worry, the Twins will be in touch soon.
Don’t bring this headache to NY.
NY has enough headaches though some left town.
Mets interested in anybody that can pass a physical now lol
Actually that’s not even the case. Remember about a month ago when they signed Abraham Almonte to a minors deal after he failed his physical with a KBO team?
Well, Almonte’s not on the 40-man, but Mendick is and I believe he’s recovering from an ACL injury. So, they’re not averse to doing it, but they’re not willing to go twelve years on the deal either
Well, another player who would have been the best on the Tigers last season. Thank god the Tigers have the D.F.A. wire to get players from.
To quote one of the scout meeting bros in Moneyball “Billy – not a good idea”
No thanks!!
Profound.
Why?
Mets have disappointed and whiffed on everyone so far in 2023. Time for Steve to break his new year resolution and sign everybody again.
??? I smell the hate but outside of Correa, to take a phrase from Larry David, I’d say the off-season moves have been: “Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good!”
Ain’t got time for hate. Pretty good ’22 though.
Yanks have their own Tommy Pham. $10Mil per year for Aaron Hicks. LMAO.
Actually I really want him for the Yankees.
Aaron Hicks fails to play the ball properly and Pham can march right out there and slap him in the face. Donaldson bat flips on another single to the OF – slap him in the face. IKF bobbles another routine grounder at SS – slap him, Pham! Boone screws up a lineup or a bullpen call? Send ol’ Tommy down to slap him sideways. Torres doesn’t hustle down to first? You guessed it, smack him backhanded.
As you can see, Pham has a lot of utility. He’s developed a niche for himself.
Mets interested with anyone with a pulse.
Lol Mets. He will add to the sideshow with his good character.
(Joc Pederson laughs)
Surprised the Mets didn’t show interest in Bauer and it would be funny if he lands instead with the Braves or Phillies.
Bauer and Pham on the same 40 man…I just want to watch that mess go down for the first few weeks of the season.
Hey, you’re a freak…I’m a freak, let’s boogie! Then about a week later they’re in a knife fight in the parking lot and hugging it out afterwards. Pretty much status quo for the rest of the season.
Pham would be a perfect LolMets signing, what an absolute headcase.
And Jurickson Profar still hasn’t moved past the speculation phase by MLBTR as to where he might fit best. He must have a way too high asking price. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think he’s ACTUALLY engaged with any club this winter.
He thinks he’s worthy of a full time job, and so far every GM has said “I can do better!”
The same reason he opted out of his contact with the Padres, at this point that looks like it was a mistake
If they’re going to waste money on best days behind them vets, just to trade for Donaldson. They’re practically giving him away. I don’t understand these latest speculations w the Mets.
Easy to understand if you watched Eppler and the Angels.
Or Eppler and Darin Duff and Lowly Rodriguez moves
I gather Will Smith was taken. LOL! Seriously, at this point, the best option may be internal since no one they sign now will be part of the long term plans. We know Ohtani will be the brass ring in free agency next year and I expect Uncle Steve to be all over it along with Billy Eppler who brought him to the Angels. I think Ruf will be given Spring Training and, possibly, the early part of the season to show if he’s what the Mets thought they were getting when they made that trade. Alvarez and Vientos could get the chance to compete with him for the spot if they’re brought up on Opening Day.
phenomenalajs;
The 2023 season hasn’t even started and you guys seem to write about the Mets signing Ohtani multiple times every day.
The Angels, Dodgers, and Padres will all go after him. And the money they’ll offer will start @ $450m, else it’s a waste of everyone’s time. Ohtani’s people will use the Mets like the Yankees used the Giants with Judge – to run up and justify the amount they’ll pay him. He lives in a warm area that’s 2,000-plus miles less of a flight to get
back to his native Japan – which he does regularly.
He’s too young, healthy, and level-headed for the Mets to sign.
Samuel apparently knows Ohtani personally so whatever he says it correct.
My kids can’t sleep at night without being read a story about the Mets latest player interest.
You are going to cause nightmares.
Not no, HELL NO
You have to ask yourself, “Is what he gives you on the field greater than what he takes away in the Clubhouse?” Doesn’t take you long to do the math.
They need to make a trade for what they want. The remaining FAs aren’t worth anything. That’s the only way the Mets come out ahead.
Probably true. I like Profar as a 4th outfielder but as others have said, he’s probably looking for starter’s money…
…which I don’t see happening.
Pham’s 2022 “Revenge Tour” in Cincy’s ballpark was an absolute snore fest. Can’t imagine his 2023 performance is going to be any more exciting….
Justin Upton is muuuuch better
Any takers on mike moustakas? Mets can use as dh and play some third. Veteran with post season at low risk high reward.
What could be better than an OFer who fell off a cliff after 2019 as the primary backup to the oldest OF in baseball?