The Chicago White Sox bolstered their outfield options on Monday by acquiring veteran outfielder Tommy Pham from the Philadelphia Phillies and adding Jake Cave from the Tampa Bay Rays. The moves come as the White Sox aim to strengthen their roster in the midst of a playoff push.
Pham, 38, returns to an organization he briefly played for during the 2024 season, when he appeared in 70 games, posting a .266 batting average with five home runs and 19 RBIs. He was initially traded midseason in 2024 as part of a three-team deal that sent him to the St. Louis Cardinals. Since then, Pham signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies in June 2026, playing with their Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Over 44 games with Lehigh Valley, Pham hit .250 with three home runs and 25 RBIs.
Throughout his 13 major-league seasons, Pham has compiled a career .256/.344/.421 batting line, totaling 149 home runs and 522 RBIs over 1,250 games. His MLB tenure includes stints with the Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks, White Sox, Kansas City Royals, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Pham has also demonstrated postseason experience, having participated in playoff games for five different teams, and holds a .315 career batting average in the postseason, highlighted by a .421 average during the 2023 World Series.
White Sox manager Will Venable emphasized Pham’s combination of offensive skill and veteran leadership. “Our need for a right-handed bat against left-handed pitching is something that we’re really excited about,” Venable said. He also praised Pham’s professionalism and baseball IQ, recalling his time coaching him in Boston. “He’s honest, convicted in what he believes, and challenges everything around him,” Venable added.
The other acquisition, Jake Cave, 33, comes after spending part of the season with the Durham Bulls, the Rays’ Triple-A affiliate, where he batted .245 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in 36 games. Cave last appeared in the major leagues in 2024, playing 123 games for the Colorado Rockies. Over seven MLB seasons with the Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies, and Rockies, Cave has a career .236/.292/.400 slash line with 45 home runs and 176 RBIs in 523 games. He also played in the Korea Baseball Organization in 2025.
Venable noted Cave’s experience and expressed optimism about his potential role within the organization, though he did not specify his immediate contribution at the major-league level.
Pham’s arrival provides the White Sox with a seasoned presence in a young outfield group. Venable indicated that Pham would find playing opportunities, especially against left-handed pitching, and potentially serve as a complementary right-handed bat in the lineup. The White Sox currently lead the American League Central and are positioning themselves for a postseason run.