Report: Free Agent Tommy Pham Close To Deal

 The last of the notable available free agent outfielders is now close to firming up his club for 2024. After watching Adam Duvall and Michael Taylor sign deals ranging from $3 million-$4 million over the past few days, Pham is now said to be ready to sign up for somewhere in that range to reunite for a second stint with the San Diego Padres.

The #Padres are “moving closer” to an agreement with free-agent OF Tommy Pham on a 1-year deal between $3M and $4M, per @BNightengale pic.twitter.com/LN1kbKMstU

— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) March 17, 2024

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Pham and the Friars are "moving closer" to a deal that would pay him between $3-$4 million. It's a big salary cut for the 36-year-old, who earned $8 million last season, including incentives, splitting the season between the New York Mets and the Arizona Diamondbacks, who he would eventually help to make a run to a World Series appearance. 

Pham played for the Padres in 2020 and 2021, though it wasn't his most successful stint of the seven different teams he's played with. Over the two-year span, he hit just .226 with a .705 OPS and an OPS+ just below average at 97.

Last year, he had a 111 OPS+ with 16 homers, 68 RBIs and 22 stolen bases, while batting .256.

Over the course of his 10-year career, Pham has a .256 average, a .786 OPS, 130 home runs and 119 stolen bases. The Padres could use another outfielder, as aside from Fernando Tatis Jr., they're going with a rookie, Jackso Merrill, and the un-exciting Jurickso Profar in the OF.

Nightingale notes that the Chicago White Sox also have interest in Pham if his potential deal with the Padres doesn't come through.  

Photo: Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK