Mets ‘optimistic’ about signing Tommy Pham

10:26 am: For Pham, it’s a one-year $6MM contract. Tweet Jon Heyman of the New York Post. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale add The deal includes $2 million in incentives available and is expected to be finalized on Thursday.

10:08 AM: Mets and Pham agree terms of deal, Martino TweetThe transaction is pending physical.

9:44 am: Mets have offer for free-agent outfielder Tommy Pham SNY’s Andy Martino reports that he is optimistic about the deal closing. The Mets also Andrew McCutchen When Adam Duvallaccording to reports, McCutchen preferred to return to his original team in Pittsburgh, while Duvall had the opportunity to spend more playing time in Boston.

Pham, who turned 35 in March, split the 2022 season between Cincinnati and Boston, posting .236/.312/.374 combined with 17 homers, eight stolen bases and 622 plate appearances. Despite the overall downseason, Pham’s line included a solid .273/.338/.446 line against left-handed pitching.

Additionally, Fam’s hitting profile also serves as a precursor to future production increases. According to Statcast, his average escape velocity of 92.2 mph ranked him in the 93rd percentile of all big hitters in the league, and his hitting percentage of 48.2% ranked him in the 89th percentile. rice field. Even if the bat doesn’t bounce to the level these numbers suggest, there’s a good chance he’ll be a useful platoon option. and ranked favorably in average sprint speed (66th percentile). Defensive metrics panned his glovework across the board (0 DRS, -6 OAA), but the tools are there for him to rebound in that capacity as well.

In 2015-19, Pham was one of the most underrated outfielders in the game, batting .277/.373/.472 (130 wRC+) and walking 12.2% against a 23.3% strikeout rate. I have recorded the rate. Since then, he’s been a below-average hitter overall, but given his speed, arm strength, and solid production against left-handers, he’s a great bat to have on the bench.

Pham has been largely confined to left field at this point in his career — he’s only had 91 innings in center field and seven in right field since 2018 — but he’s given the Mets some money. will give you outfield insurance. Left handed DH Daniel VogelbachThat’s especially true if the Mets look set to move on Darrin Ruff After a disappointing few months in Queens following an acquisition at last year’s trading deadline.

Although fam itself may not be a backup option Brandon Nemo In center field, adding him to the mix would provide the Mets with additional cover in the event of an outfield injury.For example, both left fielders Mark Cana and (especially) right fielder Starling Marte With experience in center field, if Nimmo needed a vacation or a trip to IL, either would shift to center, with Fam slotting in left field and Marte/Cagna in the other two outfield slots. cover the

The Mets also have a 24-year-old player Khalil Lee He remains a minor league option, but as a left-handed outfielder who can fill all three spots. . This is a luxury the team may not have been able to afford before. Previously, the Mets’ lone outfielder on his 40-man roster was all projected to be on the big-league roster as well, so the extra tier fills a distinct need.

On top of Pham’s $6 million, the Mets owed $5.4 million in 90% luxury taxes, bringing the total tab for signings to $11.4 million. New York’s projected earnings for the 2023 season are just over $356 million, with on-book luxury tax considerations of about $374 million. This puts them well into the premier luxury bracket and sets the stage for the Mets to become taxpayers for the third time in the 2024 season. , and compared to what the Mets were going to pay, Pham’s extravagant hit would be a relative drop in the bucket. Carlos Correa before his medical concerns scrapped a 12-year contract between the parties.