MLB Rumors: Cincinnati Reds To Pursue Veteran Outfielder Tommy Pham

The Cincinnati Reds have reportedly come to terms with Tommy Pham on a one-year deal, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.

The 34-year-old will allegedly receive $6 million in 2022. His contract will include a $1.5 million buyout for the 2023 mutual option, per a report from Cincinnati.com.

The deal has yet to be announced by the Reds with Pham pending a physical examination that is set to be done on Friday, March 25.

Pham spent the last two seasons with the San Diego Padres. He hit .229 last year with 24 doubles, 15 homers, 49 RBI, 74 runs, and 14 stolen bases.

Moreover, he had a .340 on-base percentage, which was boosted by a career-high walk rate.

The impending addition of Pham should add power and speed to the Reds lineup that already has Nick Senzel, Tyler Naquin and Jake Fraley.

Pham is expected to fill the void left by Nick Castellanos.

Seeing how he has hit well against left-handed pitchers, he is expected to also address the area where Cincinnati struggled in 2021.

He posted a .366/.449/.505 slash line in 101 career at-bats at Great American Ball Park.

In September, the Nevada native mentioned to the San Diego Union-Tribune that he was willing to sign a one-year deal this offseason so that he could re-establish his value.

A month after saying that, Pham was also involved in a stabbing incident outside a San Diego nightclub.

He needed 200 stitches and such is seen as a reason why his strength was affected last season.

“I didn’t play well enough,” Pham told the Union-Tribune last September. “I’ve got to be a more consistent hitter. I’ve got to work on regaining my strength and speed this offseason. I have a lot to work on.”

Pham is an eight-year veteran who started his first five seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. He also had a one-and-a-half stint with the Tampa Bay Rays.

In 2017, he got his fair share of National League MVP votes as he hit .306 with 22 doubles, 23 homers, 73 RBI, and 25 stolen bases.