The New York Mets added another option to their outfield mix Monday, agreeing to a minor-league contract with veteran outfielder Mike Tauchman, according to a report from The Athletic. The deal is pending a physical.
Tauchman, 35, spent last season with the Chicago White Sox, appearing primarily in right field. He played in 93 games and logged 385 plate appearances, posting a .756 OPS with nine home runs while providing roughly league-average defense based on advanced metrics such as Outs Above Average and Arm Value.
The Mets enter spring training with competition for the right-field job. Team president of baseball operations David Stearns has indicated that top prospect Carson Benge will be given an opportunity to earn a roster spot but emphasized the organization will not accelerate his timeline if he needs additional development. Other players expected to factor into the competition include Brett Baty, Tyrone Taylor and MJ Melendez.
Elsewhere in the outfield alignment, Juan Soto is projected to handle left field duties, while recently acquired Luis Robert Jr. is expected to start in center field.
Bench roles also remain unsettled, potentially opening additional opportunities at designated hitter. Tauchman could strengthen his case for a roster spot with his on-base ability; over the past three seasons, he has recorded a .359 on-base percentage, supported by consistently strong walk rates and disciplined strike-zone management.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].