Tommy Pham, a 36-year-old outfielder, was batting leadoff for the Royals during the playoffs after being waived by the St. Louis Cardinals in August. His presence at the top of the lineup contributed to the team's struggles, as he was unable to effectively set the stage for Bobby Witt Jr. and the rest of the lineup, highlighting the Royals' need for a more reliable leadoff hitter.

Opposing GMs acquired Tommy Pham from Getz at the trade deadline, part of a deal that brought third baseman/outfielder Miguel Vargas and two prospects to the White Sox. Pham's performance has been underwhelming, contributing to the team's struggles and highlighting the challenges Getz faces in improving the roster.

Tommy Pham is among several players the White Sox have dealt away during their roster overhaul following a disappointing season. His departure reflects the team's commitment to rebuilding and moving on from their previous playoff roster.

Tommy Pham, 36, is a versatile outfielder who has played for five teams in the last six seasons. Despite his age, he remains effective against fastballs, boasting a .297 batting average and a .447 slugging percentage against them in 2024 with the Royals. Pham is known for his disciplined approach at the plate, not chasing pitches, and still possesses the ability to hit the ball hard. He could be a valuable, budget-friendly addition, potentially available for around $2 million on a one-year deal.

Tommy Pham was part of the trade that sent Tommy Edman to the Dodgers, as the Cardinals acquired him in exchange for Edman and hard-throwing reliever Michael Kopech. Pham's addition to the Cardinals was part of a strategy to bolster their outfield depth during a season when they were looking to balance their roster amid a surplus of position players.