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According to multiple reports, Tommy Pham has won his arbitration case against the Tampa Bay Rays and he will be awarded $4.1 million this upcoming season.
#Rays, who’ve lost last 4 arb cases, offered $3.5M; Pham won at 4.1. Looks like @JonHeyman and @JeffPassan had news of the decision first
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) February 5, 2019
Pham put up one of the best stretches in franchise history after being acquired by the Rays at the trade deadline in 2018. During that time, Pham hit .343/.448/.622 with 7 HR over 174 plate appearances, looking like the MVP candidate he was the year before.
2019 will be Pham’s 6th season in the majors, coming off a year in which he earned just roughly over the league minimum despite being one of the best players in baseball during the 2017 season.
During spring training in 2018, Pham didn’t shy away from criticizing the Cardinals front office for holding him down in the minors for so long, delaying his service time and possible earnings.
This offseason was Pham’s first round of arbitration. Pham and the Rays failed to reach a settlement before the self-imposed arbitration deadline back in January as the Rays were at $3.5 million, while Pham was at $4.1 million, leading to the arbitration hearing.
Mood pic.twitter.com/rsjjN46r5l
— Tommy Pham (@TphamLV) February 5, 2019
With arbitration now behind them, the Rays and Pham will look forward to the start of spring training as pitchers and catchers officially report in just one week.
This is the fourth fifth consecutive arbitration hearing the Rays have lost.