Mets sign .727 OPS outfielder who has played for Yankees, Cubs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Mets may not need the added outfield depth, but they got some on Monday anyway.
The Mets signed Mike Tauchman to a minor-league contract, according to The Athletic's Will Sammon, and it kind of looks like a steal.
Tauchman has played for five teams in his MLB career: the Rockies, Yankees, Giants, Cubs and White Sox.
It's really within the past few seasons where Tauchman has taken a big step forward. He has put up an on-base percentage of .356 or better in each of the past three seasons. He was a 1.9 WAR player in 2025 for the White Sox, and he was at 2.7 WAR for the Cubs in 2023.
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Tauchman needed just 93 games in 2025 to get that 1.9 Wins Above Replacement. He was just really solid.
In that time, he hit 17 doubles, a triple, and nine home runs. He drove in 40 runs and scored 44 while hitting .263/.356/.400.
The 35-year old might be on the downslope of his career timeline, but as far as production is concerned, he seems to be in a really good place.
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Tauchman, if he performs in the spring like he has the last few seasons, could actually make a push for a bench spot.
If the Mets can somehow have him start the year at Triple-A Syracuse, that's incredible depth to have.
There aren't a ton of free agent wins left out there, but it seems like the Mets got one with this move on Monday.
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