SF Giants can reunite with home-run robbery specialist in free agency

The SF Giants would benefit greatly from adding another outfielder and they have a former Giant available in free agency who would make almost too much sense in Mike Tauchman.

Giants fans will remember the important role Tauchman played during the miracle 2021 season. He saved not one, but two, home runs by leaping up and snagging the ball at the fence before it went over.

Reunion with Mike Tauchman makes too much sense for SF Giants

The most memorable one he had with the Giants was against the Los Angeles Dodgers when he robbed Albert Pujols of what would have been a walk-off home run. He brought it back and the Giants went on to win that game.

Then, not long after that robbery, he robbed another homer. This time it was against the Washington Nationals which preserved an Anthony DeSclafani shutout and was essential in what ended up being a 1-0 victory.

In that improbable 2021 season in which the Giants won 107 games and beat the Dodgers by one game for the NL West crown, every single win mattered so Tauchman played a big role even though he was eventually let go since he was hitting poorly.

Even after his time with the Giants, his home run robberies did not cease. As a member of the Chicago Cubs in 2023 he saved a homer that would have been a walk-off again, this time against the St. Louis Cardinals.

What is it with this guy coming up with insane home run robberies with the game on the line between two historic rivals? He may have to sign with either the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees just to see if he can do it again.

Then, just last season as a member of the Chicago White Sox he robbed Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton of a home run although it was under far less dramatic circumstances.

Tauchman can do more than rob homers, though. Last season with the White Sox he slashed .263/.356/.400 with 9 home runs and 40 runs batted in across 93 games. He ended the season on the IL but his knee surgery will not affect his readiness for 2026.

Tauchman would not be the most exciting right field upgrade, but he is a more realistic one. After the Giants have let go of some outfielders recently, it is clear they need to make some sort of addition to bolster right field and Tauchman would be a cost-effective option who plays solid defense and may also make some memorable web gems from time to time.

If the Giants do not want to spend big on a right field upgrade, they could do worse than bringing back Tauchman.