Nearly two weeks ago, the Chicago White Sox announced a potentially impactful signing. They had inked outfielder Tommy Pham to a minor league contract. Per the terms of the deal, the player had the ability to get out of the deal and test free agency again if he wasn’t called up before April 25. That deadline was on Thursday, but the White Sox announced on Friday that they will be selecting his contract from Triple-A. To make room for Pham, the Sox have designated another veteran outfielder for assignment.
“Kevin Pillar designated for assignment so White Sox can make room for Tommy Pham, sources tell @TheAthletic,” MLB insider Ken Rosenthal tweeted.
Pillar wasn’t really having a good season, hitting .160/.290/.360 with a .650 OPS in 17 games and 25 at-bats with Chicago. He has loads of experience and is a fantastic defensive center fielder, but his offensive performance didn’t make him worthy of a roster spot at the moment. Pham, on the other hand, was very good at the plate as recently as last year. In 129 games and 426 at-bats, the experienced outfielder slashed a cool .256/.328/.446 with 16 home runs and 22 stolen bases, not to mention a .774 OPS, between the New York Mets and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was part of the D-Backs roster that made it all the way to the World Series and lost to the Texas Rangers. Pham has 130 career home runs and 119 stolen bases, plus a solid .786 OPS in his long tenure as a major leaguer. He could be a difference-maker, and if that’s the case, the White Sox will likely trade him for a prospect or two at the deadline.
