The Mets Make It Official With A New Veteran Addition

Just when we all thought the New York Mets weren’t going to make any more additions, they go out and find themselves a quality fourth outfielder.

They secured the services of Tommy Pham this week on a one-year deal, per sources.

The deal was pending a physical, but that has already been completed on Thursday.

“Tommy Pham has passed his physical with the New York Mets, source said. His one-year, $6 million contract is official. The deal also includes $2 million in performance bonuses,” MLB insider Robert Murray tweeted.

Tommy Pham has passed his physical with the New York Mets, source said. His one-year, $6 million contract is official. The deal also includes $2 million in performance bonuses.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 19, 2023

Pham is capable of putting together a 20-20 season with a .750-.770 OPS, but he may not be that player anymore.

Last year, he hit .236/.312/.374 with 17 home runs, 89 runs scored, and a .686 OPS.

He will be 35 when the season starts, so he is evidently declining.

The fact his skills are eroding doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a couple of good extra years in him, though.

That’s what the Mets are hoping: if one of Starling Marte, Mark Canha or Brandon Nimmo gets injured, they want Pham to provide quality at-bats and keep the team competitive.

He has had a couple of controversial events here and there, some with teammates, but the Mets did their homework and checked his background.

They have approved the deal, so there shouldn’t be any issues of that kind.

The competitive Pham will likely want a starting role, but was probably brought over for depth purposes.

He will have to show a lot in spring training to make the Mets reconsider their plans to send him to the bench to start the 2023 season.

His experience and power-speed combo will be very helpful at the time of building the lineup.