Pham being moved at Deadline 'has crossed my mind'
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NEW YORK -- In the last month or so, left fielder Tommy Pham has been the Mets' most productive hitter. Since May 18, Pham is batting .500 (12-for-24) with a .567 on-base percentage with runners in scoring position. He's also been solid during the month of June, hitting .321 with five home runs and 17 RBIs.
Although he is doing well for New York, it has crossed Pham’s mind that he could be traded before the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline. The Mets are not playing well -- sitting at 36-44, 17 games behind the first-place Braves and 8 1/2 games behind the Dodgers for the last Wild Card spot entering Thursday’s action against the Brewers -- and Pham could be a trade candidate to improve New York’s farm system.
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Pham has been part of Deadline deals before. On July 31, 2018, the Cardinals traded him to the Rays for three Minor League players. On Aug. 1 of last season, the Reds traded him to the Red Sox for a player to be named later.
“It’s tough, man. I’ve been a part of the business side a few times,” Pham said. “Last year, I wasn’t playing anywhere near the level I’m playing now. I didn’t think I was going to get traded last year, but I did.
“So [getting traded] is a possibility. From my experience … it’s tough, because at the beginning of the year, I never would have thought I would be talking about [the Trade Deadline]. I never would have got such a nice condo that I got out here, especially with how high rent is. It’s something that has crossed my mind.”
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Pham said he grew to love New York and playing for Mets fans, who are passionate when it comes to their team.
“The fans can be tough, but that’s only because they want the team to win, and I love to win,” Pham said. “The Mets are a great group of guys. I developed great relationships here with all the guys. But the business side of the game sucks.”
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When Pham signed with the Mets as a free agent in January, he was slated to become New York's fourth outfielder. He's since become the everyday left fielder and has seen his batting average jump from .222 on June 3 to .268 entering Thursday.
“I work, man. I try to be prepared," Pham said. "It’s not like I’m doing anything I haven’t done before. It’s just that, recently, I feel I’ve been hurt the past few seasons. Now I’m really healthy and I’m able to show people that I can play. … I got everything figured out. I’m healthy and I’m able to show, OK, I’m doing what I’m capable of doing. It's not like I never did this. I had seasons like this.”
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Pham said he has not talked to the Mets about his future, noting that it's too early for that conversation.
“There is so much more going on,” he said.