Pirates can’t let Tommy Pham’s Gold Glove nod cloud their 2026 plans

Veteran Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham was named a Gold Glove award finalist for his defensive efforts in left field this season. That's good for him – but it shouldn't earn him a qualifying offer from the team.

Pham’s 2025 Gold Glove nomination says he can still play, but it doesn’t say he still fits in Pittsburgh. For a Pirates team that needs to grow, not tread water, bringing him back would be a short-term comfort at the cost of long-term progress. It’s time to let the award be a parting honor, not a contract justification.

Tommy Pham’s Gold Glove nomination doesn't justify Pirates bringing him back in 2026

For starters, Pham's Gold Glove nod flatters more than it reveals. The nomination is nice, but it’s more a reflection of competence and effort than elite defensive dominance. Advanced metrics show him as solid but not spectacular; according to Fangraphs, he was worth 5 defensive runs saved and -2 outs above average. The Pirates, a team desperate for impact-level production, can’t afford to hand out contracts for average defense and veteran leadership alone.

At 37 years old, Pham had a middling batting average (.245) with modest power (10 home runs) in 2025. His on-base ability was decent but unspectacular. That's fine for a fourth outfielder or a platoon bat – not for a rebuilding team trying to establish a young core and improve its run production.

The Pirates need roster spots for younger, controllable outfielders, and every veteran at-bat given to Pham delays player development. The Pirates can't keep plugging holes with 37-year-olds when their window to build something sustainable depends on finding out who can actually play. Keeping Pham in 2026 would repeat the same “veteran stopgap” mistake they’ve made with players like Carlos Santana, Adam Frazier and others in recent years.

No one is questioning Pham’s work ethic or competitiveness; he brings intensity every night. But for the Pirates, that leadership is only valuable if it translates to wins or meaningful mentorship. With the roster shifting younger and the team still several pieces away from contention, it’s unclear what role Pham would fill that would justify his salary or playing time.

The Pirates’ core issues in 2025 weren’t about corner-outfield defense; they were about offense, consistency, and player development. Pham’s Gold Glove nomination doesn’t move the needle whatsoever in any of those areas, and his presence might even block opportunities for internal solutions that could have more long-term value.

Pham’s Gold Glove nod is a nice individual achievement and a testament to his professionalism. But the Pirates can’t let sentimentality or optics dictate roster construction. The right move is to thank him for a solid year, let him test free agency, and redirect that roster spot (and money) toward a younger, higher-upside hitter who fits their timeline.