As the MLB offseason continues, remaining free agents are finding new teams as spring training draws closer.
One such player is Niko Goodrum, a former Detroit Tigers fan favorite and utility infielder. Goodrum spent four seasons with the Tigers, compiling a .232/.306/.401 slash line with 42 home runs across 376 games.
From 2018 to 2021, Goodrum was a consistent presence on an otherwise underwhelming Tigers team. He joined the Houston Astros in 2022, the same year they defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series.
In 2023, Goodrum played in South Korea’s KBO League during the second half of the season, where he posted a .295/.373/.387 slash line in 50 games with the Lotte Giants. He returned to MLB in 2024 with the Tampa Bay Rays before finishing the season with the Los Angeles Angels, where he made just four appearances.
Now, Goodrum has signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres as of Jan. 17, which reportedly includes an invite to Major League spring training, according to the MLB transaction log.
At 33 years old, this may be Goodrum’s final opportunity to crack a Major League roster. His .103/.188/.103 slash line in limited appearances last season raises doubts about his ability to hit at the highest level. However, his .284/.375/.460 performance in Triple-A in 2024 offers a glimmer of hope.
The Padres, in need of a versatile bench bat, are betting on Goodrum’s ability to fill multiple positions and potentially serve as a depth option in case of injuries. If he performs well in spring training, he might earn a spot on the Opening Day roster—a best-case scenario for the journeyman infielder at this stage of his career.
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