The Cincinnati Reds have spent much of their offseason getting rid of their veteran players and slashing their payroll. On Wednesday, they went the other way.
Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reported on Wednesday night that the Reds have signed veteran outfielder Tommy Pham to a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2023. Pham is guaranteed $7.5 million in the deal.
It’s a one-year, $7.5M deal for Tommy Pham with incentives included and an assignment bonus if he’s traded, according to a source. It’ll be $6M this year and a $1.5M mutual option. The deal is pending a physical, which he’s expected to take Friday. https://t.co/hjFs40XZcN
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) March 24, 2022
Cincinnati’s fans and former players have spent a lot of time this offseason criticizing the Reds for penny-pinching. Given that Ken Griffey Jr. will be one of the team’s highest-paid players this season, it’s easy to see why.
The signing of the 34-year-old Pham, though, is in direct contrast to that. Also in direct contrast is that many fans praised the move.
Nice pickup for the Reds. https://t.co/6ispGwloyx
— The 8th Inning Stretch (@8thInningPod) March 24, 2022
Yah know. I’m actually kinda happy with this one. https://t.co/rdRSk8mCzn
— Ry (@MaynardRylee) March 24, 2022
Okay…this is not a bad move. https://t.co/BqQ29CHMB3
— Abby (@abigailrae_94) March 24, 2022
The Reds really need some established outfield depth right now. Having Pham in the mix will be a nice addition. https://t.co/RDpuS8wlfD
— Adam Bonifas (@ABonifas10) March 24, 2022
This is good https://t.co/6Ki9mawmHS
— 𝕮𝖔𝖔𝖕® (@OhNoCoop) March 24, 2022
Now this is more like it! https://t.co/kUFQPh9BH5
— Reds Problems (@redsproblems) March 24, 2022
Excitement aside, some fans couldn’t help but scratch their heads at this move when compared with all of the others.
The Reds were tanking 14 minutes ago, and now they’ve signed Tommy Pham. Ok
https://t.co/p7yfCLhE5y — Fuzzy (@fuzzyfromyt) March 24, 2022
This has got to be the strangest off-season I’ve seen in some time. #Reds https://t.co/PUtP3Mnbhq
— Rick Ucchino (@RickUcchino) March 24, 2022
This ends what was a bumpy two-year window for Pham with the San Diego Padres.
Following the shortened 2020 season — where he hit .211/.312/.312 with three home runs — Pham was stabbed. He recovered and was back on the field for the Padres in 2021, which was an up-and-down season for him. Pham hit a respectable 15 home runs in 475 at-bats and added 14 stolen bases. But his .229/.340/.383 slash stats were all well below his career totals of .265/.364/.447.
But if nothing else, Pham will provide a veteran influence. Sometimes for younger teams, an extra veteran leader can make a world of difference.