Like most teams across the league, the New York Mets made some minor winter signings that are primarily designed to create competition or depth at certain key positions. That was definitely the perception when the Mets signed outfielder Mike Tauchman, who was brought in as a depth piece/competitor for right field alongside top prospect Carson Benge.
But Tauchman doesn’t see it exclusively that way. He’s got a track record, and he has the potential to beat out Benge if the rookie struggles and doesn’t play well in spring training.
Tauchman’s been through this before, too. He was a non-roster invitee battling then-prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong, and while neither player made the Chicago Cubs back in spring training of 2023, he and Crow-Armstrong both ended up on the roster for Tauchman’s two seasons with the Cubs.
He sees his situation with the Mets in the same light, potentially.
“It’s a highly talented player that the organization sees as being a core part of the team for a number of years,” Tauchman said in an article written by Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. “From my experience the last few years, almost every team ends up using the entirety of the 40-man roster and then some. The seasons are very long, and it’s full of a lot of ups, downs, unforeseen things, plans. … The chips are going to fall where they may.”
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has had good things to say about Tauchman so far. Mendoza cited Tauchman’s ability to play all three outfield positions as a plus defender, and he was impressive by the outfielder’s ability to control the zone as a left-handed hitter with “some damage there.”
That offensive skillset helped Tauchman post a .356 OBP with nine home runs in 93 games last season for the Chicago White Sox, and if the outfielder gets similar results in spring training, Benge could have his work cut out for him to make the club.
Like many non-roster invitees, the 35-year old outfielder was brought in with that status because of his injury history. He tore his meniscus in late July last year, and his OPS dropped to .635 before he finally shut it down in late September and had surgery.
The competition in right also includes both Tyrone Taylor and Brett Baty, but both have weaknesses. Taylor doesn’t hit much, and Baty has never played right field before, plus he’s currently dealing with a hamstring issue. Tauchman hopes he can take advantage of this, and he sees the Mets as a good fit.
“I feel like I’m in a really good spot [now],” he said. “I feel like I have a lot to offer. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.I know that this team is committed to winning, which I think is advantageous for a player that has my history and skill set. So I would say that combination of factors made it the right choice.”