With the New York Yankees adding the overly-criticized Brett Gardner, they’ve secured their fourth outfielder spot. He isn’t the notable backup, as Mike Tauchman is now the fifth outfielder on the depth chart. While it’s nice to have extra depth, the question becomes where does Tauchman fit on this team? He’s certainly a very solid outfielder and someone who can contribute to many winning ballclubs, but he may not be able to make an impact on the Yankees. I think it’s a fair discussion and one that should be looked at from all angles.
Can the Real Mike Tauchman Please Stand Up?
When you look at Tauchman’s numbers from 2019-2020, they’re very puzzling. This isn’t even an issue of Tauchman regressing to the mean, these are stark contrasts and polar opposites.
2019: .364 wOBA/.331 xwOBA/112 DRC+
2020: .281 wOBA/.293 xwOBA/ 94 DRC+
This was just a very rough offensive season for Tauchman, but which one will the Yankees be getting? If it’s somewhere in the middle with Tauchman, we could see a league-average hitter at around a .325 wOBA. The Yankees don’t need elite offensive production out of Tauchman, because his defense is the real prize. In 2021 we will get to see the real Mike Tauchman, in a good or bad way.
The Yankees Could Try To Trade Mike Tauchman
I think there’s a very legitimate argument that Tauchman’s value is better utilized to acquire another more pressing piece. One of these very pressing needs is at the shortstop position, where they have the lukewarm Tyler Wade. While Wade isn’t atrocious as he has a 2.5 rWAR per 650 plate appearances from 2019-2020, but he’s simply not reliable to play every day in case of injury. He’s the only player on the 40-man roster who has a realistic shot at the majors that can play shortstop so no, he won’t be in Triple-A. The Yankees could go try to move Tauchman for someone who can play shortstop and serve a role on this team. If the Yankees can get some cash in return, I actually have a trade idea that makes a ton of sense for the Yankees and the other team involved.
Yankees receive: 2B/SS/3B Eduardo Escobar and $6 million
Diamondbacks receive: OF Mike Tauchman and SS Roberto Chirinos
The Yankees get a player in Eduardo Escobar who can play defense at 2B/SS/3B with mixed results, being best at third base, below average at shortstop, and okay at second base. He’s a quick player still with a solid sprint speed and has lost some weight as he was reportedly at 194 pounds when he arrived at Spring Training. His 2020 was a nightmare offensively, but from 2018-2019 he had a .343 wOBA, 113 wRC+, and 116 DRC+. He has a very high pull percentage and is a switch hitter, which could lead to exploiting the short corners. He’d be a utility player that could be huge for the Yankees, and Tauchman would be a solid piece for the Diamondbacks in their outfield as well, and Chirinos is a decent prospect who lacks in offensive prowess.
Are Mike Tauchman’s Days Numbered?
I don’t think the Yankees ultimately move Tauchman before the season starts. He’s probably going to be held onto and if they find him expendable they’ll move him. Injuries are still 100% a concern with the Yankees, so depth is important. The question isn’t if Tauchman can help but if he’d help more if he was turned into a different asset. He is again a left-handed outfielder, something that they just signed.
I don’t think Tauchman’s going to just fade away into irrelevancy, he’s a major league talent and someone who will play meaningful innings, but the question just is if it’ll be as a Yankee or elsewhere.
