MLB Rumors: Pirates & Padres Vying For The Same Free Agent Player

Both the San Diego Padres and the Pittsburgh Pirates are in a tug-of-war over the services of free-agent outfielder Tommy Pham, with reports from Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

While the Pirates have a solid outfield lineup with Bryan Reynolds and Jack Suwinski, they're eyeing Pham to potentially fill a gap in right field, despite his primary experience in left field throughout his career.

Pham's versatility, showcased by his innings in right field with the Arizona Diamondbacks last season, makes him an intriguing fit for the Pirates as they aim to bolster their roster for the upcoming season.

The #Pirates have expressed interest in free-agent OF Tommy Pham, per @ByRobertMurray on The Baseball Insiders livestream. pic.twitter.com/6rFUbEXv0H
— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) March 12, 2024

On the other hand, the Padres have been consistently showing interest in Pham over the past weeks, recognizing his potential to significantly boost their lineup.

With Pham's impressive offensive performance in 2023, boasting a .265/.328/.446 batting line along with 16 home runs and 22 stolen bases, he stands as a valuable asset for the Padres.

Heyman lists Pirates & Padres as teams eyeing Tommy Pham.

If #BlueJays want to add a free-agent OF that crushes LHP, it may have to be Robbie Grossman, someone they've previously had interest in. https://t.co/MZjiUOp4ci
— Thomas Hall (@Hall_Thomas_) March 15, 2024

His ability to address deficiencies in hitting against left-handed pitching adds an extra allure for both teams, especially for the Pirates, who struggled in that aspect last season.

As Pham remains a highly sought-after commodity in the free-agent market, a potential bidding war looms between the Padres and Pirates.

While other teams have made alternative moves, these two franchises are locked in a competitive pursuit, each eager to secure Pham's talents to strengthen their outfield rosters. Photo Credit: Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK