"I'm under no illusion that I'm not getting older and a little bit toward the end of my career, especially with what's going on potentially next year with the possibility of a lockout. The opportunity to play on a team that I believe has a chance to make a deep playoff run and do some special things appealed to me. I also think my skillset works a little more on a team like [this]."
"He doesn't hit the ball hard, but his excellent command of the strike zone means he chases rarely and walks plenty. His plate discipline means he can see a ton of pitches per plate appearance (4.37 when he played a career-high 109 games in 2024; the highest among qualified batters that year was Isaac Paredes with 4.43). That's a two-fold gift: it tires the opposition and provides more information to the guys batting after him."
Mike Tauchman, a 35-year-old veteran outfielder, joined the Mets on a minor-league deal after being released by the White Sox following a meniscus injury. Despite his age and career stage, Tauchman brings valuable skills to the organization. His primary strength lies in exceptional plate discipline—he rarely chases pitches and draws frequent walks, averaging 4.37 pitches per plate appearance in 2024, among the highest in baseball. This approach tires opposing pitchers and provides beneficial information for subsequent batters. Additionally, Tauchman offers positional flexibility, capable of playing all three outfield positions at an average defensive level. He recognizes the competitive window with the Mets and believes his skill set aligns well with a team capable of making a deep playoff run.
Read at Newsday
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