White Sox sign Mike Tauchman

The White Sox have reached agreement with the free agent outfielder Mike Tauchmanreports Scott Merkin of MLB.com (X-Link). “It’s a major league contract for Meister Sports Management’s client,” tweeted Sox Machine’s James Fegan. Conditions were not reported. The Sox have two open positions on their 40-man roster, so no corresponding move is necessary.

Tauchman, a Chicago native, is moving to the other side of town after two seasons with the Cubs. The left-handed outfielder was a great role player for the North Siders. Since returning from a stint in Korea in 2022, he has hit .250/.360/.372 in 751 plate appearances. That includes a solid .248/.357/.366 mark, showing over 350 trips to the dish this year.

That’s why it was somewhat surprising that the Cubs decided not to offer Tauchman a contract for his second trip as part of the arbitration process. MLBTR’s Matt Swartz pegged it at a relatively modest $2.9 million. That was obviously too expensive for a Cubs team that felt it would be difficult to get him equal playing time. Ian Happ, Pete Crow Armstrong, Cody Bellinger And Seiya Suzuki are scheduled to work in the outfield and as designated hitter. Alexander Canario And Kevin Alcantara made their MLB debut at the end of the year when they still had a chance of success Owen Caissie is not far from himself.

Tauchman has a much clearer path to playing time at Guaranteed Rate Field. It’s the second outfield acquisition of the winter for Sox GM Chris Getz. Chicago brought in a right-winger Austin Slater in a $1.75 million deal last month. Tauchman is probably not much more expensive. He could pair with Slater in a right wing campaign. The Sox did not tender Gavin Sheets a few weeks ago, as the presumed starter Dominic Fletcher hit just .206/.252/.256 in 241 plate appearances last season.

While this isn’t a move that will significantly change the ceiling of the outfield, Tauchman’s plate discipline puts him on higher ground than Fletcher. He could move to the top of the lineup. The Sox would certainly be happy to trade him at the deadline if he performs well. As a 34-year-old veteran outfielder, Tauchman wouldn’t see much of a return even with a strong first half. Still, the White Sox could theoretically move him to a mid-range prospect next July.