Mets add Mike Tauchman to outfield competition mix on minor-league deal: Sources

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — In a move that adds to their outfield competition, the New York Mets and veteran Mike Tauchman reached an agreement Monday on a minor-league deal, which is pending a physical, league sources told The Athletic.

Last season, while with the Chicago White Sox, Tauchman, 35, made 73 appearances in right field. Over 93 total games and 385 plate appearances, Tauchman, a left-handed batter, had a .756 OPS with nine home runs. Fielding metrics such as Outs Above Average and Arm Value, per Baseball Savant, put him around league average.

New York’s outfield contains an open spot in right field. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has consistently said that the club would give top prospect Carson Benge a shot at making the club. Other candidates for playing time there are Brett Baty, Tyrone Taylor and MJ Melendez.

Elsewhere in the Mets’ outfield, star Juan Soto moved to left field and the club acquired Luis Robert Jr. to play center field.