Tauchman not ready to focus on future with White Sox
Mike Tauchman is used to not knowing what the future holds.
A year ago he completed his first full, start-to-finish season in the majors at age 33, but his two-year run with the Cubs came to an end. Moving to the South Side, injuries helped limit Tauchman to 91 games with the White Sox, but he was one of their more reliable hitters, with a .264 average and 40 RBI.
“I think for the most part, we played pretty competitive baseball, and I think that you can really see the improvement in a lot of individuals as well as overall team win-loss record as the season went on,” Tauchman said. “As far as I'm concerned, we have nine games left here that are just as important as the first nine games, so that's kind of the focus.”
Tauchman will turn 35 in December, but a return to the White Sox could make sense for both sides. He can provide a veteran example for younger teammates and hold down one of the outfield spots ahead of the eventual debut of top prospect Braden Montgomery, who finished this season in Double-A.
“Tauch's been really good,” White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Wednesday. “He brings a consistent at-bat. He's had some nagging injuries that he's played through, which is certainly appreciated. I think it's good for our clubhouse to see a guy at this stage of his career fight the way that he does.
“Most importantly, he's been a productive player. You target players like that and we'll have conversations with Tauch and his group. Certainly open-minded about bringing him back in some capacity.”
The “in some capacity” part creates a few questions. Besides signing the Fremd High School grad for another year, the other options would be a minor-league deal or coaching job.
Tauchman has a pretty straight-forward, no-nonsense personality. He didn't want to share any thoughts about what might happen in the off-season, or even if he plans to keep playing.
“I just kind of try to focus on the present,” he said. “That kind of stuff, so much can change so quickly. So to worry about what that might look like is just kind of a waste of my time and energy. I'm just trying to focus on the last few games here and finish strong and go into the off-season.”
Joining the White Sox was a blessing, since he was able to stay home and close to family. He and his wife, Eileen, welcomed their first child last winter.
Tauchman is the Sox' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award for starting a fundraising campaign for parents and children dealing with hospital stays for cleft palate or other craniofacial conditions.
“The last three years, being able to live at home, I've been extremely fortunate,” Tauchman said. “I've enjoyed my time here and it's a really good group in the clubhouse, and it's a really good group of coaching staff, training staff, clubhouse staff. Everybody here is great. Definitely, I've been very fortunate in that way.”