Former Yankees player becomes the latest NY Mets insurance policy for Carson Benge

The 2019 season was a long time ago when Mike Tauchman broke free and put together a career-year with the New York Yankees. The success didn’t last long. He has been bouncing around the league ever since, spending the last three seasons with a Chicago team. His next chance will come as a member of the New York Mets. They’ve signed the 35-year-old veteran to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.

It’s a bit of a surprise to see Tauchman settle on a minor league deal. Although he’s not an everyday player, he’s a lefty who can continue to mash righties well.

He batted .263/.356/.400 with 9 home runs in 385 plate appearances. It’s not putting him into anyone’s starting lineup or guaranteeing him a roster spot out of camp. Nevertheless, it gives the Mets added depth in the outfield, including right field where there are a lot of questions and options going into spring training.

Mike Tauchman has a lot left to give the Mets

An average defender in right field, he’s an improvement over MJ Melendez on that front and less of an all-or-nothing type of hitter. He walks a ton, reaching base at a clip over .350 in each of the last three seasons. He walks a lot and would actually be a really good fit on the Mets bench for the duration of the season.

If he was to make the roster, there are some obvious questions. It probably means Carson Benge hasn’t. Brett Baty wouldn’t touch right field, resulting in a rotating trio at first base and DH between him, Mark Vientos, and Jorge Polanco.

Experienced in center field as well albeit without great metrics, Tauchman feels like added insurance there in addition to the corner outfield. He’s what the Mets would like Jared Young to turn into. His presence seems to negate the need for them to ever think about giving Melendez a roster spot for any prolonged period of time.

It’s a rough free agent market out there. Tauchman’s minor league deal is probably bad news for Jesse Winker who is a negative defender and coming off of a mostly injured year. If a player like Tauchman is signing with the Mets with no definitive promise of a major league deal, the outlook isn't good for Winker.

Likely, Tauchman’s contract includes an opt out around Opening Day if he’s not making the team as well as additional ones on May 1 and June 1 at the very least. Not uncommon for minor league signings, we should see the Mets give him a realistic shot to make the club out of camp.

A bench consisting of Luis Torrens, Baty or Vientos, Tyrone Taylor, and Tauchman has a lot to offer. This plan would include Benge in right field and Francisco Lindor at shortstop. Baty becomes the backup all over the infield with Vientos and Polanco as additional options.