Chicago White Sox GM Chris Getz Faces Trade Deadline Dilemma with Mike Tauchman
Veteran outfielder Mike Tauchman has significantly boosted his trade value with a career-best batting average, leaving the Chicago White Sox’s GM, Chris Getz, with a decision to make as the trade deadline approaches.
Tauchman started off Tuesday’s game as he has recently—hot at the plate. After taking a first-pitch sinker just outside, he squared up an inside sinker from Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt, lining it to right field for a single. The ball left his bat at 111.1 mph, marking the third-hardest hit ball by any MLB player on Tuesday at that point.
The 34-year-old has been on fire since June 25, going 18-for-44 at the plate and raising his batting average from .257 to a career-high .303, along with an .855 OPS. In his last 22 plate appearances, he’s reached base 13 times.
“Mike’s been outstanding, really,” said Getz on Monday. “We were excited to bring him in because he consistently puts together quality at-bats, and he’s exceeded those expectations with real production. He’s been a very consistent presence.”
With Tauchman performing at such a high level—and with the White Sox sitting at the second-worst record in the league at 30-61—he has become a prime trade candidate for the rebuilding team. Alongside Adrian Houser, Tauchman could be one of the White Sox’s most valuable trade assets ahead of the July 31 deadline, especially with Luis Robert Jr. underperforming.
As of Tuesday, Tauchman led all White Sox position players with 1.0 wins above replacement (WAR), despite playing in just 39 of 91 games due to injuries. Although Getz values Tauchman’s contribution as a leadoff hitter, he acknowledged that if a strong trade offer comes along, they’d consider moving him for younger talent.
“We’ll weigh all the options,” Getz said. “Having Mike Tauchman on the White Sox is great, but if the right offer comes in, we’ll take a deeper look. Right now, we’re enjoying having him in the lineup as much as possible.”
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