BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JUNE 16: A detail view of a Philadelphia Phillies logo on a batting donut on the on deck circle against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 16, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)
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The Philadelphia Phillies cut ties with a notable veteran pickup after the trade deadline, dealing him back to his former American League team.
When the Phillies first acquired him, it seemed like he could be a valuable outfield option stashed in the minors, but now it seems as if his infamous intensity might be as costly as it is valuable.
Philadelphia Phillies Trade Away Veteran Outfielder After Trade Demand
The Phillies ultimately granted Tommy Pham the change he had been seeking when they traded the veteran outfielder to the Chicago White Sox at the end of last month.
Following the trade, Pham made it clear that he demanded the trade as he no longer wanted to remain in Triple-A, giving Philadelphia an ultimatum after spending much of the season away from the majors.
“I wanted to give the Phillies a heads up that that was my last week in Triple-A,” he told the Chicago Sun-Times’ James Fegan last week. “I checked out. Being in the situation I’m in, a guy with 10-plus (years of MLB service time) playing Triple-A like that, I was over it.”
Philadelphia found a solution by sending Pham to Chicago for cash considerations, allowing the 38-year-old to return to the organization he had played for during the 2024 season. MLB confirmed the August 31 transaction, which allowed Pham to join the White Sox before rosters expanded.
But Pham’s second stint in Chicago was remarkably brief before an odd injury pushed him off the roster.
Former Philadelphia Phillies Outfielder Suffers Bizarre Injury After Just 1 Game With New Team
Pham appeared in only one game for the White Sox after the trade before his trademark intensity evidently cost him his roster spot.
“On Saturday, his intensity came back to bite him when he strained his left calf while doing defensive work on the field, and the Sox put him on the 10-day injured list,” Jeff Agrest noted for the Sun-Times. “The move is retroactive to Sept. 3, the day after Pham appeared as a pinch hitter in the only game of his stint with the Sox since being acquired Aug. 31 from the Phillies.”
The injury is particularly unfortunate given that Pham had been brought back to Chicago to provide a veteran right-handed bat, particularly against left-handed pitching. And it could mark the end of perhaps the most chaotic campaign of his journeyman career.
“After starting the season with the (New York) Mets, Pham was designated for assignment on April 27 following an 0-for-13 showing with seven strikeouts,” Scott Merkin wrote for MLB.com. “He then signed a Minor League deal with the (Baltimore) Orioles on May 16, only to be released on June 12 after hitting .197 (12-for-61) with four homers and 21 K’s over 16 games with Triple-A Norfolk. Pham slashed .250/.381/.391 with three homers and 25 RBIs in 44 games for (Phillies affiliate) Triple-A Lehigh Valley.”
Now, after finally getting the trade he wanted, Pham will work toward a return to the White Sox before the playoffs begin.
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