September call-ups are just on the horizon. It calls for an exciting time, trying to figure out who will be called up, and who will have to wait a little longer before being promoted. On the final day of August, the Philadelphia Phillies are making a move, but it is not a September call-up. The team is trading 38-year-old Tommy Pham to the Chicago White Sox. Pham signed a free agent deal in late June with the Phillies, but never made it back to the majors thanks to a red-hot offense that doesn't need an aging outfielder.
Though Pham never had his opportunity in Philadelphia, he returns to the White Sox, where he found success in 2024. Chicago is on the brink of making the postseason, and they could use that experienced bat again.
Phillies continue Tommy Pham's whirlwind ahead of 2026 September call-ups
The 2026 season has been a whirlwind for Pham. He is headed to his fourth team this year after spending time with the Orioles, Mets, and Phillies. He only played in the bigs with the Mets, where he batted 0-for-13. In 68 minor league games, he hit .239 with eight home runs, 12 doubles, and two triples.
Though Pham is well beyond his peak, he does bring something of value to the table for a young White Sox team. In 37 career postseason games, Pham is a .315 hitter with 11 extra-base hits. Granted, it's been two years since his last playoff game, and a lot has happened since. He has declined as a major league hitter and teams have shown us that they aren't interested in keeping him around for long.
It is a risk that the White Sox should take, though. They are an exciting group, but it doesn't hurt to have a hitter who's played in big postseason games before.
The Phillies have plenty of guys with that background. There was never a need for him in Philadelphia, especially on the post-cornfield iteration of this team. If we see him in October, that means nothing but good things, given it'd be a Fall Classic appearance.
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