BALTIMORE — The Yankees had outfielder Mike Tauchman on the trade market all winter and throughout spring training.
They finally dealt him Tuesday.
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General manager Brian Cashman agreed to send Tauchman to the Giants in exchange for lefty reliever Wandy Peralta and a player to be named later. The move happened about a half-hour before New York was set to face the Orioles at Camden Yards.
Here’s what it means:
Who takes Tauchman’s spot? For the moment, it will be utility man Tyler Wade, who was activated off the taxi squad. The Yankees prefer Wade at shortstop, but he’s capable of playing second base and third base. He’s also able to play both corner outfield positions.
Who is Peralta? Peralta mostly relies on a 96-mph fastball and an a 89-mph slider, sprinkling in a changeup. He’s held lefties to a .247 career batting average, and in 2020, they hit just .171 against him. Peralta will likely head to the back of the Yankees’ bullpen.
Why trade Tauchman? Tauchman has been the Yankees’ fifth outfielder and hasn’t had a chance at much playing time, behind Clint Frazier, Brett Gardner and Aaron Hicks. He’s also less valuable because he doesn’t have minor-league options. The move, however, could be a bit of a surprise from the standpoint that neither Hicks, Gardner nor Frazier have hit well, and that might have been able to open up playing time for the 30-year-old.
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