Reports: White Sox sign OF Tommy Pham to minor-league contract

The Chicago White Sox are turning to one of the last remaining impact bats on the free-agent market to counteract their slow start.

According to multiple reports, the White Sox have agreed to a one-year contract with outfielder Tommy Pham.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Monday night that the agreement is a minor-league deal, and that Pham will earn $3 million in the majors with up to $1.5 million in incentives. The White Sox have until April 25 to add him to their MLB roster or else he can request his release. Pham will also receive $500,000 if he is traded.

After a slow developing off-season, Pham was one of the major-league quality players left without a place to play when Opening Day rolled around.

The 36-year-old right-handed hitter played in 129 games in 2023, splitting time between the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks. He slashed .256/.328/.446 with 16 home runs and 68 RBI over 481 plate appearances during the season.

With the National League champion Diamondbacks, Pham proved a boost in the World Series, smacking a home run and posting a 1.165 OPS against the Texas Rangers.

Pham has played in 10 MLB seasons, spending time with the St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, Mets and Diamondbacks.

He has been extremely successful against lefties in his career, slashing .271/.381/.453 with 42 career home runs in off-handed matchups.

Overall, Pham has a career .786 OPS with 130 home runs in 1005 career games.

After Monday's 2-0 loss to the Kansas City Royals, the White Sox dropped to 2-14 to open the 2024 season. They have scored an MLB-worst 34 runs — the next lowest is the Oakland Athletics with 47 — and according to MLB.com's Mike Petriello, became the first team since 1907 to get shutout in six of their first 16 games.