It definitely looks like the NY Mets beat the Yankees in the battle for OF depth

It was a storyline that got lost in the shuffle of a busy offseason in New York, but both the Mets and Yankees spent the winter months seeking out capable fourth outfielders for their respective benches.

The calculus for each team changed slightly when the Mets traded for Luis Robert Jr. and the Yankees re-signed Cody Bellinger to a huge deal, but depth was still a big need across the boroughs as spring training neared. Both answered the call, signing veterans Mike Tauchman and Randal Grichuk, respectively, to minor-league deals with non-roster invites to camp.

So far, it's abundantly clear which side made the better decision.

Mike Tauchman raking for Mets in spring training as Yankees wait for Randal Grichuk's debut

Spring training stats need to be taken with heaps of salt, but Tauchman is off to a blistering start with his new team. Through six exhibition games (15 plate appearances), the 35-year-old is hitting .364/.553/.909, good for a ridiculous 255 wRC+. That's obviously not sustainable over the long run, but the veteran outfielder has been a well-above-average hitter in each of the past three seasons in Chicago (two with the Cubs, one with the White Sox).

Meanwhile, Grichuk has yet to suit up in pinstripes. The Yankees are expecting their 34-year-old signee to debut this week (March 9 is the target date), but there's no data to draw any conclusions from. Either way, his delayed start will make it tough for him to win the roster battle and crack the Opening Day roster.

Even if we ignore this spring, though, it's clear the Mets got the better player. Grichuk has raked against southpaws in the past, but he posted an 82 wRC+ last season with the Diamondbacks and Royals. He's a platoon option as is, and that's before accounting for the fact that he's a net-negative defender at this point in his career.

Tauchman, meanwhile, crushes right-handed pitchers, which at least gives him the platoon advantage over Grichuk. He's also an on-base machine, walking in 12.6% of his trips to plate throughout his career (Grichuk's walk rate sits at 5.6%). And, perhaps most importantly, he's a strong defender, including center field where he thrived for the Cubs in 2023 and 2024.

A former Yankee, Tauchman is the platonic ideal of a fourth outfielder. The Mets were lucky to scoop him up when they did, and his explosion in spring training has been the icing on the cake.

Meanwhile, the Yankees are just hoping they get to see Griichuk face live pitching before having to make a decision on his fate.