Chicago White Sox Nearing Deal with Veteran OF Tommy Pham

After not finding a deal all offseason, free agent outfielder Tommy Pham is on the verge of signing with the Chicago White Sox. This is a home run deal for Chicago for multiple reasons.

After not finding a deal all offseason, free agent outfielder Tommy Pham is close to signing with the Chicago White Sox.

Ken Rosenthal of 'The Athletic' had the news late on Sunday night:

Pham, the No. 33 player on The Athletic’s top-40 free-agent big board, is close to an agreement with the injury-depleted Chicago White Sox on a minor-league contract, according to sources briefed on the discussions. He will be signing a minor-league deal because he is out of options. This way, the White Sox can start him in the minors without needing to pass him through waivers, and promote him when he is ready.

This deal makes a ton of sense for the White Sox for multiple reasons:

1) As Rosenthal said, the White Sox are facing a massive injury crunch and need productivity. They've lost Yoan Moncada in the infield for several months and outfielders Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert Jr. have already hit the injured list as well. By signing Pham, who is a lifetime .259 hitter with 130 home runs, they are at least going to get some Major League production in their order.

2) It gives some credibility to the front office. It's easy to see that the White Sox are re-setting things, having traded Aaron Bummer and Dylan Cease this offseason, but just because you are re-setting doesn't mean you are out and out tanking. The White Sox are out to a dreadful 2-13 start, but signing Pham gives some signs to the clubhouse that the front office is at least trying to win as much as they are able.

3) Finally, Pham becomes a trade chip for the team at midseason. For a team looking for prospects at every turn, Pham could net them one. For Pham, he'll get an opportunity to join a contender -- should he play well.

Pham hit 16 homers last season between the Mets and Diamondbacks and helped Arizona reach the World Series.

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