Pirates finally make highly anticipated outfield addition in attempted upgrade

One of the major goals for the Pirates this offseason was to add an outfielder to help boost their lineup. With spring training starting in a matter of days, they have finally made their move by signing veteran outfielder Tommy Pham to a one-year deal worth $4 million.

The Pirates have been linked to multiple outfielders, and after they missed out on Randall Grichuk, they felt an urgency to get a deal done, leading to this signing of Pham. They had reported interest, per multiple national reporters, in Alex Verdugo, but they decided to go with the right-handed bat instead (at likely a less expensive cost, though Verdugo has yet to land anywhere).

Pirates make their outfield signing by bringing in Tommy Pham on a one-year deal.

Last spring training, the Pirates reportedly had interest in signing Pham, but decided to go with Michael A. Taylor instead. The slugging Pham ended up signing with the White Sox and got off to a great start in Chicago. Since he was on a one-year deal, the White Sox were eager to trade him at the deadline, lending him to the Cardinals. He did not perform well there in a second go-round in St. Louis, and was designated for assignment, finishing out 2024 with the Royals in October.

Across three teams, Pham was slightly below average in 2024, and steadily got worse with every new team he joined. He finished the season with an OPS of .674 and a wRC+ of 91. Pham also belted nine home runs, drove in 39, and struck out at a 22.2% clip.

His numbers don't look fantastic, and are very comparable to those of Connor Joe, a guy the Pirates non-tendered who would have been cheaper than Pham to retain. The significant difference between the two is that Pham hits right-handers the same as lefties. His wRC+ and OPS were equal against both sides, which may mean the Pirates view him as an everyday player, something that Joe could not handle.

If Pham can get off to a start like he did in Chicago last season and keep that success throughout 2025, great, but this signing genuinely does not feel any different to what they had a season ago. Maybe they are not done, but right now this move is questionable.