The White Sox chose to non-tender veteran outfield Mike Tauchman despite his offensive production and steady clubhouse leadership.
4 p.m. CT on Friday marked the deadline for MLB teams to non-tender arbitration-eligible players.
Teams can either tender a player — committing to negotiate a 2026 salary through arbitration — or non-tender him, which means opting not to offer a contract and instantly making the player a free agent.
The White Sox had decisions to make on four players: outfielders Mike Tauchman and Derek Hill, reliever Cam Booser, and first baseman Tim Elko.
Tauchman, a Chicagoland native from Palatine, signed with the White Sox before the 2025 season after two years with the Cubs. And he thrived when healthy enough to be on the field. He rolled over two strong years with the Cubs into an even better campaign as an everyday starter on the South Side.
In 93 games, Tauchman hit .263/.356/.400 with a .756 OPS, 17 doubles, nine home runs, and 40 RBIs. He brought a calming, professional presence to the top of the lineup and often settled into the leadoff spot. His understanding of the strike zone allowed him to see pitches, grind at-bats, and set the tone — an approach that clearly rubbed off on many of the White Sox rookies who debuted throughout 2025.
Sure, the body is aging. At soon-to-be 35, Tauchman doesn’t cover the outfield or run the bases the way he used to. But what he brings to a young clubhouse matters — and it matters a lot.
I’m not saying he should get another 350–400 at-bats as a locked-in everyday player. But a smart platoon to keep him fresh? That absolutely feels like something the White Sox could benefit from. And I am sure of one thing: I wanted Mike Tauchman on the 2026 roster.
The White Sox didn’t seem to agree.
Chicago non-tendered Tauchman on Friday, despite his modest $2.5 million arbitration projection.
This is the same guy who was the White Sox nominee for the 2025 Roberto Clemente Award.
This is the same guy Colson Montgomery praised, saying “being able to pick a guy’s brain like [Tauchman] is pretty good. He’s played with some really good players, and he’s really good at talking through approaches and things like that — simplifying things.”
Chicago is choosing to lose that leadership — and not for nothing, a respectable left-handed bat who plays a corner-outfield spot. You know, just the two things Chris Getz has publicly labeled as glaring offseason needs.
I’m just not sure I understand the downside of keeping him. Given his Chicagoland roots, it’s hard to imagine Tauchman wanting to play anywhere else. And it’s even harder to imagine a more natural veteran fit for this clubhouse.
This feels like a missed opportunity. Maybe Chris Getz’s vision will become clearer as the offseason unfolds, but right now? This looks like a massive whiff.