Free agent outfielder Tommy Pham struggled early in 2025 with the Pirates before a torrid stretch over the season’s final few months. He’ll turn 38 next March, but Pham is fully intent on playing in 2026 and appears to be eyeing multiple more seasons in his big league career. The well-traveled outfielder tells Katie Woo, Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic that he hopes to cross both the 200-homer and 200-steal threshold before retiring. He’s currently 51 homers and 69 steals away from reaching those lofty goals.
Notably, Pham tells The Athletic that he has played through plantar fasciitis dating back to late in the 2023 season. That, Pham contends, has hindered him on the basepaths. He’s swiped just 12 bags total over the past two seasons but stole 22 times in 2023. He’s gone through stem cell treatment to address his plantar fasciitis and now feels confident he can get back to being more of a threat on the bases.
Overall, Pham’s 2025 season in Pittsburgh was pedestrian. He finished out the year with a tepid .245/.330/.370 batting line — about six percent worse than league-average offense, by measure of wRC+. Defensive Runs Saved pegged him as a strong left fielder (+5), while Statcast’s Outs Above Average was more bearish and had him slightly worse than average (-2) in 925 innings.
It bears mentioning, however, that Pham’s modest batting line includes a middling stretch of two-plus months to begin the year. Over the final three months of the 2025 campaign, Pham came to the plate 273 times and turned in a hefty .278/.363/.468 slash (128 wRC+) with 10 home runs, 13 doubles, a triple, an 11.7% walk rate and just a 17% strikeout rate. He averaged 92.7 mph off the bat and turned in a huge 51.8% hard-hit rate in that time. Any team would love to have that type of output in its outfield mix.
If Pham can continue anywhere close to that pace, he’ll have a chance to get to the 200-homer threshold with another three seasons in the majors. Reaching 200 steals feels like a loftier goal, but Pham quipped that he’s “seeing all these guys that can’t run like me steal 30 and 40 bases now” and feels that with better health in his feet he can get back to running at higher levels. Both Josh Naylor and Juan Soto topped 30 steals in 2025 despite ranking in the second and 13th percentile of average sprint speed among big leaguers, per Statcast. Pham was in the 45th percentile even with his plantar fasciitis issues; back in 2023, he sat in the 61st percentile.
Working in Pham’s favor is that it’s a thin market for teams seeking outfield help in free agency this winter — particularly from the right side of the plate. Harrison Bader, Miguel Andujar and Austin Hays are all coming off productive seasons. There are a couple of notable rebound candidates in Lane Thomas and Adolis Garcia, the latter of whom was non-tendered by the Rangers last week. But most of the market’s top outfield options this offseason swing from the left side of the dish, and even in that regard, the supply of established veterans coming off healthy, productive seasons is limited. Clubs like the Guardians, Twins, Reds, Brewers, Marlins, A’s and Rockies all have fairly left-handed outfield groups and could look to balance things out with a righty, speculatively speaking.
There’s also one oddball record at least loosely in play for Pham, who in 2025 suited up for the tenth team of his major league career. He’s still four teams shy of the record 14 that’s jointly held by Rich Hill and Edwin Jackson, but Pham has added five teams to his list in the past three seasons alone. That’s probably not a consideration for the veteran corner bat, but those 200 milestones clearly are. “I don’t have an All-Star appearance or anything like that,” Pham tells The Athletic. “But getting to that number, I could look back at my career, and me, personally, I can be proud of myself.”
Aren’t we all.
Pirates looking to spend 30mil. 20 will go to Pham knowing BC
Pass all day long on this guy. I dont like his attitude.
Only so many teams left to alienate !
I know I risk getting beat up for this but, dude, retire you’re cooked.
Unless other stuff comes out, I think he was a good guy in Pittsburgh. Yes, the whole city was crapping on him for a while, but he kept grinding and put together an amazing stretch. Team was too far out for it to really make a difference but he gave it his all no matter what and I’m impressed by him oddly enough.
Most teams aren’t going to risk his attitude in the clubhouse, it’s not worth the modest production. Most teams have a prospect or platoon that will do the same thing.
One of the most unlikable players in recent memories.
I thought this was going to be a problem when the Pirates picked him up, but it honestly wasn’t. He seemed like a pretty solid guy. Maybe he’s mellowed out more with age, but at the very least, he’s not what he once was.
I think it’s more that he has an abrasive/blunt attitude. As long as other people have a bit of thicker skin and can let criticism slide, he’s fine enough. But he’s a bit of a heated competitor and doesn’t seem to censor himself any. Which I think at times rubs people the wrong way.
You don’t sign Pham. Rather, you wait until the deadline and if you then have a need, you trade for him. His overall attitude is not worth the risk of causing clubhouse problems early in the season. At the deadline, the risk might then be worth the cost, etc. Just my take.
I’d say most of the “he’s a clubhouse cancer” comments have come from fans, rather than anyone actually in baseball. Yes, he’s not a perfect man, and I can see how his attitude can rub people the wrong way. However, I’ve yet to hear any first-hand accounts of his attitude or personality actually making a massively negative impact on a team.
dig deeper ……..
Except for those times that he physically assaults other players.
“Weeks after he slapped Joc Pederson in the face over a fantasy football dispute, Tommy Pham doubled down on his actions in new comments to the media. Pham claimed the San Francisco Giants outfielder deserved it, adding that he has been congratulated for striking Pederson.” CBS Sports
Plus he is blind.
“Pham claimed”
Tommy Pham is of high moral character, according to Tommy Pham.
There were reports during time in SD. Of course the guys at Pacers brought knives – which I don’t condone at all, but it is what happened.
I believe SD clubhouse favored HSK in what came out after Pham creamed HSK on a ball that was clearly HSK’s ball creating injury. Pham didn’t seem to care from his comments. He was just playing hard was the attitude – instead of being a teammate concerned about an injury that he unnecessarily caused to the teams starting SS.
MLB: just google “Tommy Pham attitude problem”.
Yeah we all know that guy in our fantasy leagues. The snake that the league members all despise but who lives on the edge and gets all defensive when confronted. The one all the others chuckle at when he silenty slips through an unsecured manhole cover
The reason why he wasnt slugging people was because if he did that he wouldn’t have a job anymore
Also the pirates don’t have anyone in the clubhouse that would stand up to him, padres had manny machado for instance
He was a solid guy in Cincinnati too. He could have gotten in trouble across the river but never heard anything in that regard.
@mlb1225: I felt the same way when he was on the Mets. I expected the worst in relation to his attitude. Instead, he was solid and not afraid to call some people out for slacking off. Then he went to AZ and by all accounts was a solid guy, including when he gave up a plate appearance in the playoffs to a young teammate.
Yeah that AZ example was a great example of sacrificing for a teammate, allowing a journeyman to record a moonlight graham like appearance. Can’t fake that. Unlike say a certain pearl clutcher whos all show when the cameras are on, and seems to know when they blaze on
He was a solid citizen in Chicago too, head down, hard worker, good teammate. Maybe the problem is you, Joc Pedersen
Who’s it more likely to be: the one who has constant character issues who actually committed the assault, or the one who got assaulted?
Unclutch your pearls Joc Pedersen. Drama queen and fantasy football cheat.
Or what? You gonna hit me, Tommy?
Hard to hit something that’s been hiding in its closet for months. Google “joc + pedersen + teammates + drama”
is that why he has played for 10 teams? because he has attitude problems everywhere he goes? the guy is 37 and will likely play again next season, so this theory that he is a clubhouse cancer seems overblown at this point
I love that you’re using the fact that teams are constantly jettisoning him as an argument that he ISN’T a problem.
By that logic, he can’t be that bad if 10 different teams have either signed him or traded for him.
Player-wise, sure. Then they get him in the clubhouse and realize what kind of person he is, so he doesn’t last.
This makes no sense to me because it’s “known” he’s a bit of a hothead among fans who aren’t around him every day, yet teams are still signing him/trading for him all the time. You’d think that he’d be blackballed from the sport by now if he truly was a clubhouse cancer. He doesn’t have the stats to back up his perceived attitude.
Sure, 10 teams were willing to take a chance on him. That’s not all that surprising as he’s proven he can play a little bit and there are few enough guys who can do anything valuable at the professional level, those who can are almost always bound to have someone willing to give them a look. On the other hand, what does it tell you that not one of those teams ever wanted to keep him around?
“If I have commitment issues, why am I constantly finding new girlfriends?!?!”
Don’t mess with his money and don’t disrespect his name and there won’t be any problems.
If this was a real problem I don’t think he gets all the opportunities he’s had the last few years. Hasn’t been starter quality since ‘19, juiced ball year. Yet teams still keep signing and trading for him
If teams cared at all about his attitude, then why do they keep signing him?
Teams have also signed wife beaters, ped users, electronic sign stealers lol. The fact that he keeps getting a job year over year isn’t an indication that there isn’t a problem
He’s never done any of those things to our knowledge, so you can’t necessarily lump him with those types. If anything he has a big mouth and usually it puts him on the losing end of a fight, but he isn’t going out of his way to hurt people nor is he cheating the game. For all intents and purposes he’s just your typical role player journeyman. Just good enough to get a 1 year gig somewhere, usually on rebuilding teams, and then he often gets traded to a contender who needs someone who can work an at bat down the stretch. Might not entirely have to do with how he is in the clubhouse.
I never said he did, I said that teams often sign much worse than clubhouse issues, so him getting a job isn’t an indication of anything.
This is an opinion, I’m not sure why so many people are trying to change minds. I didn’t say he was is the worst hitter of all time, which can be proven false easily with facts
To me a player who looks for every opportunity to flex that he is a tough guy, who is so insecure that can’t handle jokes about fantasy leagues, who runs to twitter to fight with fans and other players in the league, is not someone I would want on my team or to cheer for. It’s my opinion and that’s that.
Several? You might make it another 2 years as a 4th outfielder.
Do I smell the Pirates big free agent signing!?
I could honestly see the cheapskate Twins parading him around as their big splash move of the offseason.
Yeah that’s a winner prediction too
150-150 would be a more reasonable goal.
That achievement would slap.
remember when he smacked joc pederson in the face bec of fantasy football hahaha
I was watching that game when it happened. Actually it happened before the game, but they showed replays of it during the game several times. I remember thinking that I didn’t like violence, but if it had to happen there was no better recipient than Joc Pederson.
Relax, I am just Joc-ing.
Not since the day Michael Barrett punched AJ Pierzynski in the mouth, at least.
Yeah and I guess you could throw Jose Bautista into that mix as well.
I am not defending anyone by any means, but I remember thinking at the time there had to be more to it than fantasy football. No one will ever know the history between them and what was said previously.
I can tell you ballplayers have a long memory sometimes and it just takes one thing to set something off, sometimes even a bench clearing brawl.
“I remember thinking at the time there had to be more to it than fantasy football.”
Could “maybe Tommy Pham has issues” be a reason?
Agreed. Tommy Pham seems like one of those people you don’t want to get into a minor argument with because it will (apologies to Ron Burgundy) escalate quickly.
Yeah. Some ballplayers are like that unfortunately. Others forget it five minutes later and have a beer with you.
Unfortunately, it is not just ballplayers. The world at large is like that as well. Some can disagree and still be friendly. Most cannot.
Oh for sure. Seems to be getting worse in the Twitter age to me.
Yeah a LOT worse. I do blame social media because it is a lot easier to trash talk someone from behind a screen than to do it face to face. Growing up if you wanted to insult someone, you kind of had to either swallow your words or step up and immediately face the consequences of those words. Now you just type something out and probably never face the person you insult.
Thanks for the warning
MostlyToasty aiming to date Kate Beckinsale
Talk to the hand
or to Kate Beckinsale’s middle finger!
He’s a perfect fit for Boston
His bat still has some pop in it, but he’s got a long way to go to achieve 200 SBs. Especially with injuries slowing down his pace.
This was several more years than I was expecting
Tommy Pham is ready for another stint in Pittsburg, that’s the “splash” they’re going to make.
Dang beat me to it. I concede defeat.
Yeah, I had to laugh at team president Travis Williams talking to the media yesterday about just that. Making a splash. Having the resources. Same old blather. He just beat Nutting to his annual sermon by 3 or 4 months
Pham is exactly the kind of “splash” the Pirates make. You know, because they want to win championships and all
I know your pessimistic, Washed and with good reason, but I think they are under pressure, specifically by Skenes to put a competitive team on the field in 2026
It was Skenes that forced them to not renew Oscar’s contract as pitching coach
I just think he has more say in this situation than people give him credit for
TheMan3, I’ll grant you that Skenes squawking and then the rumor he wanted to be a Yankee are the only ideas that give me pause in thinking this off season may be different.
But as Dream would say, who is worth signing, really and realistically? Schwarber? Please. Might as well believe in the tooth fairy
Who could they trade for without making a plus into a minus, as Zeise writes in today’s PG?
And how can I trust the thinking of a GM who is clearly in over his head?
I hope you’re right. I just think you’re gonna be like Charley Brown at Halloween
My prediction is marlins and they will treat him like a blockbuster free agent addition
Yeah-Marlins, Royals or return to Cincy are OF needy teams who may be interested in a few months if they can’t find a suitable trade (or FA) that is better and much younger OF.
He’s played for a lot of NL teams. Needs to start looking at playing for some more AL teams.
Adult entertainment performers in MLB cities rejoice!
Loved him with the Mets and thereafter. Have to laugh with him for LOL Mets comment that the Mets were the least industrious Team he ever saw. Telling it like it is!
I’m sure he’ll calm down in his old age.
It will be up to the teams whether he plays a few more years.
Performance seems to indicate that a MLB roster spot just isn’t in the cards.
i mean hes a replacement level player. that would indicate an MLB roster spot if anything
Slow news day if we are discussing a 4 th outfielder at best
breaking: tommy pham threatens to play again
Yes, Tommy Pham, be proud of the $39.5 million in checks that you have cashed!
This is the guy who only a few months ago almost fought Tyler Heineman for trying to frame a pitch, and then went online after the game to accuse Addison Barger of taking steroids. But yes, his attitude is fine.
According to some accounts in the replies “he’s mellowed out with age” lol
12 steals combined the past 2 seasons and his speed is now below average.
He better hangout with Josh Naylor and learn how to pick his spots if he plans on getting 69 steals before he’s done.
And “will Smith” so many more faces
This guy’s dreaming. He’ll be lucky to score a minor league contract with an invite to big league camp from a second-division team looking for a cheap lottery ticket (if there are any such teams left that he hasn’t already burnt through).
Bah. You forget that somehow, Pittsburgh is the gateway to the Orient.
Head case in the clubhouse
I just wouldn’t play fantasy football with him.
Joc Pederson has entered the chat.
It’s certainly his prerogative to take another stab at it.
Your pithy remark cuts deep. Somewhere in the lumbar region.
Pirates have said several times he was a good club house guy for them last year. Also there’s been other teams that have liked him as a team guy. Has he made some bone head choices? Sure but overall not a cancer or bad team guy. A return to the pirates, signing with the Guards, Pads, Reds, Marlins, Twins or Royals all make sense
He spent lots of time with youth groups around Pittsburgh and ore-game. Saw him in action. Can’t speak for the past, but he’s a solid dude in my book
That clubhouse cancer needs to go away. Any team that signs him is just dumb.
“Clubhouse cancer” is a silly expression used by fans who haven’t stepped inside the clubhouse in question. For some reason, they think it sounds good.
The only relatable thing I like about Tommy Pham is he went to my highschool in Las Vegas. He graduated with my little sister.
I hope he succeeds wherever he signs. Just not against the Cubs.
Out of the 10 teams that he’s played for, how many have brought him back for a second act other than the Cards for all of 23 games in 2024? Yes, he gets contracts, but why don’t folks want him back? And please notice that his stated goals are personal, he wants to reach 200 HRS and steals, neither of which is going to happen, instead of “I want to be part of a team effort to win a championship.” Think about that for a minute.
4 teams shy of the overall record but 3 teams shy of the position player record. Next stop Minnesota…
It’s crazy how a writer ignores part of his slow start over the past season to vision issues. Once it was corrected, he hit the cover off the ball. Those vision issues, hindered a two thirds of season. I just not sure why it wasn’t caught alot sooner instead of 7 (including spring training) months into the season
I remember reading he has a degenerative condition where his eyesight deteriorates much faster than the average person. He’s dealt with it his entire career, and while he’s been able to manage it he sometimes does have to get corrective work done.
I read the same thing too. But 7 months going without addressing it sooner, is eye popping. From player to medical staff to coaching staff, should have identified it sooner. Players will act like nothing is wrong because they are hardwired like that. Medical staff should have discovered it within 2 months of the issue. Examinations are routine and how was it missed for so long?
Anual MLBTR Tommy Pham sponsored ad.
There’s a place in the game for a grizzled veteran who can be an average player and a mentor.
If Pham has matured and learned from his early mistakes, he could be that guy.
If not, the phone won’t ring.
Mr. Pham might want to try UFC after baseball.
A lot of Pham bashing here as usual. After watching him with the Pirates I’ll say this. As much as any player can carry a team that’s losing more than winning, he was the only bright spot for 2 solid months. And say whatever, but he never takes a play off and is never lacking of hustle.
Cancer needs treatment to finally go away.
Tommy Pham reminds me of Tim Anderson.
They both think they are tough guys, and look little Jose Ramirez shut Tim Anderson up, and embarrassed him very much. Same thing is going to happen to Tough guy Pham.
Good luck Tommy. Appreciated your time with the Pirates. You would be a great addition to any team.
Unless he puts together a solid season in 2026, he can aim to play for “several more years” all he wants but no one will sign him to more than a spring invite.
Let’s see how many more teams he can rack up before he hangs them up