The Chicago White Sox have acquired veteran outfielder Tommy Pham from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for cash considerations, a rare move executed after the Major League Baseball trade deadline. The acquisition was announced Monday, with Pham now eligible for postseason play due to joining the team before the Sept. 1 cutoff.
The White Sox, currently leading the AL Central by three games, are making a push for their first postseason appearance since 2021. Pham, 38, previously played for the White Sox in 2024, a season that saw the team finish with the worst record in the modern era.
Manager Will Venable expressed enthusiasm about Pham's arrival, highlighting his value as a right-handed bat against left-handed pitching. "It means a lot. I’m really excited about Tommy Pham coming," Venable said, according to MLB.com. "As you look at it broadly, our need for a right-handed bat against left-handed pitching is something that we’re really excited about. And then the human being, the teammate, the edge that he brings, kind of who he is as a total player. I think he’s going to make a real big impact here."
Venable also emphasized Pham's experience and competitive drive, suggesting it will be beneficial for a team with many young players experiencing a playoff race for the first time. "That edge he’s got is real. I think it also works in a lot of different types of environments," Venable added. "Our environment especially, with young guys, many of these guys are seeing these things and feeling these things as we go down the stretch for the first time."
Pham is expected to join the White Sox on Tuesday for their series against the AL West-leading Houston Astros. His career OPS against left-handed pitching is .796, though he struggled earlier in the 2025 season with the Mets, posting a .680 OPS and batting 0-for-13 with seven strikeouts in nine games before his release.
In a corresponding move, the White Sox also acquired outfielder Jake Cave from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations. Both Pham and Cave were eligible to be traded as they were on minor-league contracts and had not been added to their respective major league rosters. The team is hoping for late-season contributions from both veterans.