The Philadelphia Phillies, currently holding the best record in Major League Baseball as of May 20, are preparing to make moves for additional help ahead of the trade deadline. According to David Murphy of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies are looking at potential trade targets and have identified Tommy Pham of the Chicago White Sox as a candidate.
Murphy highlighted that several teams with playoff aspirations from 2023 are currently underperforming, which could lead to a busy rental market before the July 30 deadline. This situation is advantageous for the Phillies, who may seek short-term reinforcements for their corner outfield positions, backup catcher, and bullpen.
Pham, a seasoned veteran with postseason experience—including a notable home run against the Phillies in last year’s NLCS—signed a one-year contract with the White Sox following spring training. At 36, Pham has played for eight teams over 11 seasons, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Though the Phillies had shown interest in Pham before he signed with the White Sox, the financial aspects of the deal influenced his decision. Pham mentioned to reporters that the primary factor in his choice was the financial terms, rather than other opportunities or lifestyle considerations.
The Phillies’ outfield has struggled offensively, with Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos both batting under .250 and combining for only 10 home runs. Castellanos’ OPS is a modest .576, underscoring the need for additional production.
The White Sox, who currently have the worst record in baseball, are already in the process of dismantling their roster. They traded Dylan Cease before the season began and are now looking to trade Pham, who has been one of their few standout players. As of early May, Pham has a .333/.379/.481 batting line in 21 games, with two home runs and 10 RBIs. His versatility and experience could provide the Phillies with a significant boost.