Tommy Pham Elects Free Agency After Mets Designate Him for Austin Slater

Key facts

• Tommy Pham, 38, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse by the Mets.
• He exercised his right to reject the assignment and elect free agency.
• Pham signed a minor league deal with the Mets in March and was added to the roster in mid-April.
• He appeared in nine games, with 14 plate appearances, striking out seven times and walking once, with no hits.
• The Mets signed Austin Slater after the Marlins released him, making Pham the roster casualty.
• Pham had a 94 wRC+ with the Pirates in 2025, hitting.245/.330/.370 with 10 home runs.
• He struggled with plantar fasciitis and missed spring training, signing on March 26.
• Pham is likely limited to minor league offers on the open market.

A Veteran’s Sudden Departure

Tommy Pham is a free agent once again. The veteran outfielder cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse by the New York Mets, but he promptly exercised his right to reject the assignment and elect free agency, according to a report from Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Pham, 38, had signed a minor league contract with the Mets in March and was added to the major league roster in mid-April. His tenure in New York lasted just nine games, during which he went to the plate 14 times, struck out seven times, walked once, and did not record a single hit. The move was precipitated by the Mets’ acquisition of Austin Slater, who was released by the Miami Marlins. To make room on the roster, the Mets designated Pham for assignment.

The Roster Calculus Behind the Decision

The Mets pounced on Slater just days after the Marlins let him go, and Pham became the roster casualty. As a veteran with more than five years of major league service time, Pham had the right to reject an outright assignment, and he exercised that right. Now on the open market, Pham will likely have to settle for minor league offers. In the most recent offseason, he remained unsigned until late March, finally inking a deal on March 26. His recent performance with the Mets — a hitless, strikeout-heavy stretch — did nothing to improve his stock.

A Tale of Two Seasons in Pittsburgh

Despite being in his late 30s, Pham provided offense close to league average with the Pittsburgh Pirates last year. He hit 10 home runs and drew walks at an 11.1% clip, posting a.245/.330/.370 batting line with a 94 wRC+. His 2025 season was a study in extremes. Through the end of May, he managed a meager.207/.280/.237 slash line. But from June through August, he caught fire, slashing.304/.382/.495. September brought another collapse, as he hit just.143/.270/.270.

The Unresolved Foot Problem

Coming into the 2026 season, Pham expressed hope that a treatment for plantar fasciitis could improve his game after struggling with the condition in recent years. That hope has not yet materialized. He also did not get a proper chance to find his rhythm. Because he remained unsigned long enough to miss spring training, the Mets sent him to five Single-A games before calling him up. He never got into a groove. Though he may only receive minor league offers, it is theoretically possible that regular at-bats could position him for another summer surge.

What Lies Ahead for the Journeyman Outfielder

Pham now heads to the open market in search of his next opportunity. Given his age, recent performance, and the lateness of the season, he will most likely be limited to minor league deals. If he is willing to accept a minor league contract, one potential landing spot could be the Las Vegas-bound Athletics, who are in need of outfield depth and would allow him to play in his hometown. But the market for a 38-year-old with a hitless 14-plate-appearance stint is narrow.

The bottom line

• Tommy Pham elected free agency after being outrighted by the Mets, who signed Austin Slater instead.
• Pham went hitless in 14 plate appearances with New York, striking out seven times.
• He had a 94 wRC+ with the Pirates in 2025, with a strong midseason surge but a poor finish.
• Plantar fasciitis and a missed spring training hampered his 2026 start.
• Pham is likely to receive only minor league offers on the open market.