Cardinals Spring Training has officially kicked into gear, and with Opening Day sitting about a month away, rosters are starting to take shape across Major League Baseball. Veterans are reporting, prospects are fighting for spots, and front offices are making final tweaks before the games begin to count. Yet even as camps fill up, there are still a handful of recognizable names waiting by the phone. One of them is a familiar face to fans in St. Louis: longtime outfielder Tommy Pham.
Despite being 37 years old and coming off a solid, if unspectacular, season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pham remains unsigned. In 120 games last year, he posted a .245 batting average with a .330 on-base percentage and a .370 slugging percentage. He added 10 home runs, 52 runs batted in, and 17 doubles to his stat line. Those numbers won’t earn him MVP votes, but they’re far from the production of a player ready to fade quietly into retirement.
Given his age and the reality of how teams evaluate veteran outfielders, it would be understandable if some assumed Pham might be preparing to step away from the game. Baseball is unforgiving, especially for players nearing 40. Roles shrink. Contracts get smaller. Opportunities become less certain. But according to reporting from FanSided’s Robert Murray, retirement is not on Pham’s radar.
Murray recently addressed the futures of several veteran players, including Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte, alongside Pham. His takeaway was clear: none of them appear ready to walk away from the game. McCutchen, Murray suggested, could sign elsewhere if he doesn’t return to Pittsburgh, possibly motivated to prove the organization wrong if it chooses not to bring him back. Marte, meanwhile, is still coming off a season in which he posted a 111 OPS+, a mark that indicates he remained above league average at the plate. As for Pham, Murray noted that he has been in conversations with teams and has a track record of signing later in the offseason — something he did just last year before landing with the Pirates.
In other words, this situation isn’t entirely new for Pham. He has operated on the fringes of free agency before, waiting for the right opportunity rather than rushing into the first available offer. For veterans without long-term deals, patience can sometimes be part of the strategy.
For fans of the St. Louis Cardinals, Pham’s name naturally sparks curiosity. There was a point earlier this offseason when a reunion — his third stint with the organization — felt plausible. Before the Cardinals made other moves to address their roster needs, Pham appeared to be a logical fit. The team was looking to bolster its lineup with a right-handed bat, and Pham’s familiarity with the clubhouse and the city made him an intriguing option.
Pham originally broke into the big leagues with St. Louis in 2014. After years grinding through the minor leagues and overcoming injuries, he finally established himself at the major league level. Over his first four full seasons with the Cardinals, he developed into a productive and sometimes fiery presence in the lineup. His breakout 2017 campaign, in particular, cemented him as a fan favorite. However, during the 2018 season, he was traded, marking the end of his initial run in St. Louis.
Years later, he found his way back to the Cardinals in 2024, creating a sense of nostalgia and unfinished business. But that reunion was brief. He was designated for assignment during the season, and once again his tenure in St. Louis came to a close. It was a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change in baseball — even for players who once seemed integral to a team’s identity.
This offseason, the Cardinals made a different choice to address their need for a right-handed bat. They signed Ramón UrÃas, a player capable of adding depth and versatility to the infield. President of baseball operations Chaim Bloom spoke openly about the organization’s desire to add a right-handed hitter, ideally someone who could complement the existing lineup. While Bloom indicated a preference for an outfielder, the club ultimately landed UrÃas, who primarily plays in the infield.
That distinction is notable. If the Cardinals’ original preference leaned toward an outfielder, it’s fair to wonder whether the door is completely closed on adding someone like Pham. UrÃas helps, but he doesn’t directly address the outfield mix. Depth pieces often prove valuable over the course of a 162-game season, and injuries or underperformance can quickly expose thin areas of a roster.
From a purely baseball perspective, Pham could still serve a role. He may no longer be an everyday fixture, but as a bench bat, platoon option, or veteran presence, he retains value. His on-base skills and ability to handle left-handed pitching could make him useful in specific matchups. Additionally, his experience — both the highs and lows — gives him credibility in a clubhouse setting.
Of course, the question always circles back to cost and roster construction. Teams have to weigh whether a 37-year-old outfielder fits their long-term vision or whether they’d prefer to allocate at-bats to younger players. Spring Training often becomes a proving ground not just for prospects, but for veterans fighting to show they still belong.
For Pham, the timing may ultimately work in his favor. As injuries crop up during camp or teams reassess their depth charts, opportunities can emerge unexpectedly. His history of signing later in the offseason suggests he’s comfortable navigating that uncertainty.
For Cardinals fans, the idea of one more reunion carries emotional weight. Pham’s journey in St. Louis was never dull. He played with intensity, sometimes bordering on edge, and brought a competitive fire that resonated with many supporters. Even when his production fluctuated, his effort rarely did.
Whether that translates into a third stint with the Cardinals remains uncertain. The organization has already made moves to address its roster needs, and front offices tend to be deliberate this time of year. Still, baseball has a way of circling back. A phone call, a minor injury, or a shift in priorities can quickly reopen conversations that once seemed settled.
At the very least, one thing appears clear: Tommy Pham is not ready to call it a career. While some veterans quietly slip into retirement as opportunities dwindle, Pham is continuing to engage with teams and explore his options. He believes he still has something to offer, and the numbers from last season support that confidence.
As Opening Day approaches, most rosters will crystallize, but a few spots always remain fluid. If the Cardinals — or another club — decide they need a proven right-handed bat with postseason experience and a chip on his shoulder, Pham could be waiting.
Until he formally announces otherwise, the cleats remain laced up.
