With their closing bench spot nonetheless in a little bit of flux, the Mets made one other addition to their very massive group of gamers in camp, signing veteran Mike Tauchman to a minor league deal according to Will Sammon of The Athletic. Tauchman, regardless of being on a minor league contract, can have a really open alternative to make the crew with a robust camp.
Tauchman, now 35 years previous, has been round, as one may simply surmise. Originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in tenth spherical manner again in 2013, Tauchman labored his manner up with a really sturdy minor league profession till making his Major League debut with the Rockies in 2017. He spent the 2018 season shuttled between the Rockies and Triple-A Albuquerque, by no means discovering his footing as a daily Major Leaguer.
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That modified for him prior to the 2019 season, when he was traded to the Yankees and instantly turned a robust contributor for them, hitting .277/.361/.504 (128 wRC+), incomes 3.0 fWAR in simply 89 video games.
2020 and 2021 weren’t as type to Tauchman, as a shoulder injury hampered him in 2020. He hit simply .242/.342/.305 (79 wRC+) within the COVID-shortened marketing campaign. 2021 was even more durable on him, hitting .181/.284/.283 (63 wRC+) between the Yankees and Giants.
In 2022, he took his abilities to South Korea, enjoying for the Hanwha Eagles. He was wonderful in Korea, hitting .289/.366/.430, incomes himself a shot in MLB once more, this time along with his residence state Chicago Cubs. He’s spent the final three years in Chicago, two with the Cubs (2023 and 2024), and one with the White Sox (2025), earlier than hitting free company this winter. He was remarkably constant in these three seasons, incomes a 108, 110 and 115 wRC+ in 108, 109, and 93 video games respectively. He additionally grades out as bang common defensively per Outs Above Average, although he’s extra of a nook outfielder than middle fielder these days.
Tauchman, being a solid-but-unspectacular Major League contributor will do wonders for the Mets bench, ought to he make the crew. Recent signing MJ Melendez nonetheless has a minor league possibility, to allow them to afford to preserve each within the group if Tauchman hits the bottom operating. His skill to assist in proper discipline ought to Carson Benge wrestle, and provides Carlos Mendoza another choice at DH ought to Brett Baty be within the discipline, makes his roster match simple to envision. On prime of that, Luis Robert Jr. has had his justifiable share of damage struggles in his profession, and whereas Tauchman shouldn’t be a lot of a middle fielder anymore, he can present cowl in proper ought to Benge have to shift over in case of an damage.