Chicago White Sox non-tender outfielder Mike Tauchman and sign Derek Hill to a one-year contract, trimming the roster and reshaping the outfield mix for the 2026 MLB season.

The Chicago White Sox have made several notable roster moves, highlighted by non-tendering outfielder Mike Tauchman and signing outfielder Derek Hill to a split one-year contract.

Tauchman Non-Tendered After Productive 2025

Veteran outfielder Mike Tauchman, coming off a solid year on the South Side, will now hit free agency after being non-tendered by the club. Tauchman, 34, signed with the White Sox last winter following two seasons with the Cubs and posted a .263/.356/.400 slash line with nine home runs, 40 RBIs, and a 1.9 bWAR across 93 games in 2025. Injuries, including a torn meniscus in his right knee late in the season, limited his availability.

Tauchman had been projected for a $3.4 million arbitration salary. With the club potentially looking to clear payroll space and prioritize younger outfielders, the decision was made not to offer Tauchman a contract for 2026. The move comes just one year after the White Sox signed Tauchman as a respected veteran presence, and he was regarded as a positive clubhouse influence.

Derek Hill Returns on $900,000 Split Deal

In a corresponding move, the club re-signed speedy outfielder Derek Hill on a split contract worth $900,000 in the majors and $450,000 in the minors. Hill, 29, was claimed off waivers from the Marlins in September and appeared in just four games for Chicago late in the year.

For the season, Hill batted .216/.281/.328 with three home runs, 10 RBIs, and seven stolen bases over 57 games spent mostly with Miami and recorded a career-best 1.1 bWAR, largely on the strength of his elite outfield defense and 99th percentile sprint speed. Known for his glove and base running, Hill figures to provide outfield depth and insurance behind star center fielder Luis Robert Jr., who has his own history of injuries.

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Additional Non-Tenders and Roster Impact

In addition to Tauchman, the White Sox non-tendered first baseman Tim Elko and left-handed reliever Cam Booser, who both now become free agents. Elko made his MLB debut in 2025 but struggled and was later sidelined after ACL surgery. Booser posted a 5.52 ERA over 39 major league relief appearances.

Following these transactions, the White Sox 40-man roster stands at 34 players. These moves reflect a continuing effort by general manager Chris Getz to trim payroll, create more flexibility, and give opportunities to younger and more versatile pieces as the team looks to retool for 2026 and beyond.