When the White Sox brought in Tommy Pham from the Phillies before the August 31 roster deadline, the move looked strange at first glance. Chicago already had a fairly even outfield mix, with Sam Antonacci and Tristan Peters from the left side and Randal Grichuk and Brenton Doyle from the right, so another right-handed hitter did not seem like an obvious priority.
The fit may still be a little murky, but the reactions from inside the clubhouse made the purpose of the move clearer. Andrew Benintendi, who played with Pham on the 2024 White Sox, had nothing but praise for him in comments to MLB.com’s Scott Merkin.
“I enjoyed playing with him. I’m looking forward to seeing him,” Benintendi, who played with Pham on the 2024 White Sox, told MLB.com’s Scott Merkin.
“Brings it every single day. Is passionate about winning.
Yeah, I think he’ll be a good addition”.
Will Venable, who coached Pham in 2022 while both were in the Red Sox organization, echoed that sentiment and pointed to both the bat and the person.
“It means a lot,” Venable said. “I’m really excited about Tommy Pham coming.
As you look at it broadly, our need for a right-handed bat against left-handed pitching is something we’re really excited about. And then the human being, the teammate, the edge he brings, kind of who he is as a total player.
I think he’s going to make a real big impact here.”
Pham’s reputation has followed him for years, and not always for the right reasons. He’s had plenty of off-field noise in his career, including the well-known run-in with then-Giants outfielder Joc Pederson that led to a suspension, and he has gone at it online with other players as recently as this season.
Still, the White Sox know him as a teammate, and that matters. The issues around Pham have largely been tied to opponents, not guys in his own clubhouse, and Chicago clearly felt comfortable enough with that to make the deal.
There’s also a postseason angle here. Pham has already shown he can contribute in October, including the moment when he put the Royals ahead in the ALDS.
Tommy Pham puts the @Royals ahead! #ALDS pic.twitter.com/9DQMkg2LYt
- MLB (@MLB) October 8, 2024
On the field, the production question is fair. Pham has only 13 big league at-bats this season and went hitless in them, though he did post respectable offensive numbers as recently as 2025 with the Pirates. At this stage, he may be more useful as a platoon piece than anything else.
Even if that’s the case, the White Sox may still get what they wanted. Pham brings energy, edge and a veteran presence to a young group trying to reach the postseason together for the first time. His bat may end up being a bonus.
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