Mets sign long-time veteran to deal on Opening Day
Mets sign long-time veteran to deal on Opening Day originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Major League Baseball season is finally here, and the New York Mets begin their quest for a World Series title in 2026 against the Pittsburgh Pirates .
It's a big matchup right off the bat, with Freddy Peralta and the Mets facing Paul Skenes and the Pirates. With the new-look Mets roster, there is plenty of optimism for this season, even against a pitcher as dominant as Skenes.
But, before they face off against the Pirates, the Mets are, according to ESPN's Jorge Castillo , signing former Pirates outfielder and longtime MLB veteran Tommy Pham to a free agent contract.
Mets to sign Tommy Pham on Opening Day
"The Mets and outfielder Tommy Pham are in agreement on a minor-league deal, a source tells ESPN," Castillo reports.
This is an interesting addition for the Mets, right as the season is getting underway. Pham is 38 years old and has been in the Majors for the last 12 years since his 2014 debut with the St. Louis Cardinals .
Last year, he spent his 120-game season with the Pirates. He recorded 1.0 bWAR with a .245 batting average and a .700 OPS.
In his big-league career, Pham has played for the Mets once before, recording an .820 OPS in 79 games back in 2023.
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Now back with the Mets, Pham will work out in the minor leagues as he waits for a chance to make his return to the Major Leagues with the Mets later this season.
With Luis Robert Jr. , Carson Benge, and Juan Soto making up the outfield, it would take an injury or a player like Benge or Robert struggling significantly for Pham to get a roster spot.
But he's a player worth keeping an eye on, as Pham could be a quality bench player or spot starter if needed for the Mets.
