In announcing their non-roster invitees, the Tigers revealed that they have signed veteran infielder Gordon Beckham. Clearly, he’ll be on hand in camp this spring. Fancred’s Jon Heyman tweets that Beckham’s contract comes with a $700K base salary if he makes the big league roster.
Beckham will be looking to win a job as a bench piece in Detroit. While the club has little reason to utilize veterans in a manner that would block younger talent, it surely also wants to install some respected players and maintain a certain standard during another transition year. If he can’t crack the roster, Beckham would potentially represent worthwhile depth at Triple-A.
The opportunities have been sporadic of late for Beckham, who was once a regular with the White Sox. Still, he has appeared in every one of the past ten MLB seasons, compiling a cumulative .239/.302/.366 slash in 3542 plate appearances. Beckham, who’s an option at second and third base, did post a strong .302/.400/.458 batting line last year at Triple-A while drawing more walks (57) than strikeouts (52) in his 425 trips to the plate.
Non-roster or not, Tigers continue to be a joke
You say that almost like not every team signs minor league caliber players to minor league contracts
They are a joke bc they are rebuilding and taking fliers on rebound candidates? Worked out pretty well for them last year with Fiers and Martin. Farm system is near top 10
Last years trades did very little to stock the farm. The Twins got more out of Lance freakin Lynn than we did for Friers who had an extra year of control of the team liked him. Avila couldn’t give away Liriano who had a good 1st half. Martin got us a defensive SS with a light bat…we’ll see.
So far I’m not optimistic on the signings in 2019.
They don’t care about winning this year. Just another year of development and getting good draft picks
I agree that Avila seems overmatched in trade negotiations. Definitely not DD when it comes to closing a deal. However, Castro for Martin was a W.
Syndergarden, clearly you don’t realize They’re following the standard rebuild blueprint.
I’m surprised he’s even getting another opportunity after the past 3 seasons.
After the last 3 seasons? Dude did rake to the tune of .302/.400/.858 in AAA last year. On a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training this is a good, zero risk deal for the Tigers. It’s not like they made the deal with the intention of having him get 600 PA’s and hit 4th for the major league club.
A former 1st rounder is expected to have a AAA slashline like that. I don’t see how that’s an indicator he’ll be successful at the Major League level.
We like producers at AAA too! Guys coming up, play for wins in minors too! Develop baseball champions, compete at all level.
Beckham big hits in minors? Proof he stay hungry even when riding bus and playing in towns, not cities? Sign him, and smile for the contributions.
I hope this works out for him. I enjoyed watching him play for the Sox for several years. Good luck, Gordon.
Way to upstage the HOF announcement, Gordone!
Thanks. Just shot beer out my nose
Haha good one
Markakis has more 7 less RBIs than Harper last season…. He also had 10 more doubles and batted 50 points higher… I will take his salary and be happy to welcome him home
Wrong thread buddy.
He’s also 9 years older
Can’t argue with his 2018 minor stats. At 32 plus, perhaps he figured out somethings.
The White Sox destroyed this guy by bringing him up way too fast, a pattern that has hurt the franchise for decades. He once had a chance of being a decent player, but was never given the tools to transition.
Since you’re speaking in terms of decades, the White Sox also had advanced college bats like Frank Thomas and Robin Ventura on a fast track to their White Sox debuts. Those decisions played out just fine. More recently from the pitching side, Chris Sale was promoted to the White Sox bullpen in the same year in which he was drafted. That hardly had a negative impact on his MLB career either. Perhaps Gordon Beckham just lacked the talent to become a great MLB player rather than just a serviceable one.
What? They gave him 400+ ABs from his age 22-27 seasons and he hit .242 with an OBP .300. I’d call that an opportunity. What other players have they brought up too young and destroyed?
Lefty; Wonder if Gordy would agree.
I am giving up my mariners season tickets after this move. Unbelievable
Gordon Beckham is a mystery. During his rookie year he looked like future all-star and a starter at 2nd base for years to come. Then his offense faded away and the White Sox slowly realized that it wasn’t temporary, so they gave up on him. Great glove man, but his bat just never came back after a promising beginning.
Gordon Beckham actually debuted at 3B for the White Sox due to a need at the time. He was later shifted to 2B as their regular for a while before getting additional time at the hot corner near the end of his White Sox career in a platoon with Conor Gillaspie. Beckham was actually drafted out of college as a SS but played much fewer games at that position as a pro in comparison to 2B and 3B.
I moved to Chicago right around the time Beckham was drafted and I have to admit I’m sad he never did anything great, Sox fans went NUTS when he had that torrid start to his career
He was 5th place for rookie of the year in 2009. Tore the cover off the ball that season. I thought he was injured for a bit, never the same.
Was initially called the future face of the franchise. Tough to live up to. Maybe he pressed too hard. It’s a fine line between trying too hard and relaxing one’s drive too much.
Reminds me a lot of Dansby Swanson sadly :/. Hopefully he can show more potential
Or just the fact that it’s an incredible challenging & competitive sport.
At least the Mud Hens will be playing for a championship.
Gordon BeckhAAAm.
okay, you win
He had more walks than strikeouts in the minors last year. Probably a case of a guy that finally figured things out, but hasn’t had an opportunity since.
Hey, he still made that unbelievable catch against the Cowboys……..OBJ! Wrong guy…….
Yea, get with the program. We are talking Beckham the soccer player
He’s no David, but I’ll be gosh darned if he can’t bend it
This guy! ^^^^^ lmao
Indians lose Cody Allen; Tigers get Beckham. TIGERS WIN CENTRAL!
Tigers have talent, Candelaria, Jacoby can run in center. Goodrum hard worker can rake. Stewart at the door. Nick steady at the plate. Machado or Harper would help!
Many players start fast then stumble. Tigers rule 5 pick Chris Shelton hit 9 hrs in April, stumbled after being traded. Brennan Boesch, hurt his finger or wrist. N
Tigers keep cutting back on salary’s, soon they will be going into the stands. Picking out fans to fill the lineup card.