This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin's White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CHICAGO -- There’s an implicit understanding that Tommy Pham won’t play the entire 2024 season for the White Sox, with contending teams figuring to show interest as the July 30 Trade Deadline approaches.

But don’t think Pham is focused on anything more than trying to bring success to a squad with the worst record in MLB (15-45). He showed competitive fire during the aftermath of a play at the plate in the eighth innings Sunday, when Milwaukee catcher William Contreras drew Pham’s ire after tagging him out to complete an inning-ending double play on a fly ball to left.

Pham was angered by Contreras’ post-tag talk and reaction -- as Pham expressed in an intensely colorful 50-second postgame monologue, after having let Contreras know on the field before being briefly held back by coaches and teammates. There also might be some genuine frustration mounting as part of an 11-game losing streak, including three tough losses to the Brewers, but there’s more to Pham than this fighting spirit.

Young White Sox players often pick Pham's brain, which he appreciates and understands, as he is considered a consummate professional for his preparation and focus.

“Guys are still learning what it takes to be a big leaguer, how to be a better big leaguer,” Pham told me during the White Sox previous homestand. “Guys are asking me a ton of questions, which, I look back at when I was in their shoes -- I was asking Matt Holliday a ton of questions.

“So, guys just really want to be better so that they can contribute up here at this level. That’s good to see. It’s good to see guys grinding -- from in the cages, in the weight room -- to try to better their careers.

“I have a little bit of time, but you know guys are just really trying to dive into my brain, man, and really learn up here,” Pham added. “I like it. It shows me a lot about the player and the person.”

At 36 years old in his 11th Major League season, Pham has slashed .280/.331/.402 since joining the White Sox on April 26, in spite of a 2-for-25 stretch over his past six games. He’s added three stolen bases just one season removed from swiping 22 and playing a significant role in the 2023 Diamondbacks’ push to the World Series.

The White Sox are the eighth team for Pham, who plays all three outfield positions. That ninth team could arrive for a player who won’t forget the tough free agent process leading up to his signing of a Minor League deal with the White Sox on April 16.

“See, nobody really knows except the team, me and my agency what was said behind closed doors,” Pham said. “So, it’s going to be interesting to see what teams are going to be back in it in the mix for me, because there are a lot of teams I see right now that could use or need my services that kind of disrespected me in free agency.

“We are going to see. It wouldn’t be tough for me. It would probably be tougher for them.”

A case could be made for keeping Pham with the White Sox as a strong veteran among a rebuilding group. Chicago at the very least wants to take advantage of Pham’s intense presence.

“Having Tommy around these younger players, or just the team that we have on the field right now, you can go person to person in the clubhouse and they would tell you that they admire the way he goes about his business,” general manager Chris Getz said. “He hasn’t taken a pitch off on the offensive and defensive side. He doesn’t take anything for granted.

“He’s a guy that’s had success in this game and continues to have success as he reaches his late 30s, and that’s a testament to his determination. When we were able to sign him and insert him into the lineup, he made an immediate impact. We’re going to take advantage of Tommy while he’s here and hope there’s an osmosis effect to the rest of the clubhouse, based on the performance that he brought.”