Kansas City Royals claim outfielders Tommy Pham & Robbie Grossman for postseason run
The Kansas City Royals have found some late-season help for their playoff push.
KC claimed veteran outfielder Tommy Pham off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.
Pham, 36, is expected to join the Royals after beginning the season with the Chicago White Sox. He is hitting .254 with seven home runs and 31 RBIs.
“He makes you a better coach,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He makes the team a better team by his intensity. He comes here with one purpose every day, and that is to kick your butt.”
The Royals looked to fill a need within their lineup. On Thursday, Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino broke his right thumb against the Houston Astros. He is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season. The Royals estimate his timeline to return is six to eight weeks.
Pham can fill in during the short term. He is a capable outfielder and has experience batting in the leadoff spot. The Royals could utilize him in a variety of roles to help strengthen the lineup.
“He’s going to be intense,” Quatraro said. “He’s going to give you everything he’s got on and off the field. And I think he is going to fit in nicely here.”
The Royals are also without outfielder Hunter Renfroe, who is on the injured list with a strained hamstring. He is expected to be back soon to help fortify the lineup.
Pham is another veteran to help the Royals in their playoff pursuit. Prior to Saturday’s action, KC sat 2.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central.
“It’s something that we’re going to need to discuss,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said on Pham’s ability to bat leadoff. “We are still trying to digest it and work through our matchups. I would be surprised if he wasn’t in the leadoff spot at times. I don’t know if it will be every day, but he has done that. He will be an option for us in the leadoff spot.”
Additionally, the Royals have claimed switch-hitting outfielder Robbie Grossman.
Grossman, 34, is hitting .227 with three homers and 14 RBIs. He has played for the Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers this season.
“It’s a deeper team now, so we are going to have more options to match up against our opponents,” Picollo said. “Robbie is especially proficient against left-handed pitching.”
Grossman has feasted on southpaws this year. He owns an .825 OPS (on-base plus slugging) in 106 plate appearances against left-handers.
Quatraro has experience with both Pham and Grossman. He met Grossman during their time together with the Cleveland Guardians.
“Just hit it off immediately,” Quatraro said. “He’s a guy that comes to work every day. He’s somebody that loves to prepare and loves to do what he does out here.”
Grossman can play both corner outfield spots. The Royals could also utilize him as a designated hitter once he reports alongside Pham on Sunday.
Both moves come ahead of rosters expanding on Sept. 1. MLB teams are permitted to have 28 players for the final month. The Royals made a waiver claim for both players on Thursday. There was a deadline to claim waiver-wire players and have them be available for the postseason roster.
MLB teams have a 48-hour period before a wavier claim can be deemed successful. The Royals were able to get both Pham and Grossman through that process.
“This goes back to July, the trade deadline,” Picollo said of interest in both players. “They were players that we talked about. But then the other day, it’s just a good example of how quickly the season can get away from you and how you have to continue to work to build your roster out.
“So the other night (Pasquantino’s injury) made us even more aggressive with waiver claims and trying to provide depth because anything can happen tonight.”
Later on Saturday, the Royals traded for 2021 AL batting champ Yuli Gurriel. He arrives from the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations.
Gurriel hasn’t played in the major leagues this season. However, he will join both Pham and Grossman on the active roster when they report on Sunday.
