Tommy Pham is poised for a return to the Mets. He has agreed to a Minor League deal, according to a source, with the team yet to confirm the agreement. The veteran outfielder’s arrival could bolster their outfield options.
Pham to Provide Outfield Depth
The Mets’ decision to bring back Pham comes after Mike Tauchman sustained a torn meniscus in his left knee during Spring Training. Pham played 79 games for the Mets in 2023, achieving an .820 OPS and hitting 10 home runs. He was then traded to Arizona at the Trade Deadline.
Pham is heading into his age-38 season.
Underlying Stats Show Promise for Pham
In the 2025 season, Pham had a .245/.330/.370 slash line with 10 home runs for the Pirates. However, there are indicators that his performance could be better than those numbers suggest. His expected batting average and slugging percentage were higher than his actual figures.
Pham’s hard-hit rate was 47.2%, higher than the 42.7% he recorded in 2024. That placed him in the 76th percentile among qualified hitters. His plate discipline also stood out – his chase rate of 19.9% was among the top 5 percent in the game. His strikeout rate (20.9%) was his lowest since 2019, and his walk rate (11.1%, 81st percentile) was his highest since ’21.
Defensive Strengths and Postseason Experience
Defensively, Pham’s range in the outfield isn’t great (-3 Outs Above Average). However, he recorded +5 defensive runs saved in left field for Pittsburgh.
Pham also brings postseason experience. He has a .315/.331/.492 slash line with six homers in 37 career postseason games. In the 2024 American League Division Series with the Royals, he hit .455 (5-for-11) against the Yankees.
Pham should provide an experienced outfield option for the Mets.