The Padres and veteran infielder Gordon Beckham are in agreement on a minor league contract, per Chris McCosky of the Detroit News (Twitter link). He’ll be in big league camp with the Friars this spring. Beckham is represented by CAA.
The 33-year-old Beckham spent last season in the Tigers organization, appearing in 83 games and logging 240 trips to the plate — both his highest totals since the 2016 season. The former No. 8 overall pick (White Sox, 2008) managed just a .215/.271/.372 slash, though he chipped in six homers, 13 doubles and a pair of triples. Beckham appeared at all four infield spots with Detroit in 2019.
Although he’s never produced much in the Majors (career .237/.300/.367), Beckham does carry a lifetime .293/.364/.436 slash in Triple-A. He’s a reasonably versatile piece that the Padres can move all around the infield in Triple-A El Paso if he doesn’t make the big league roster out of camp.
Like able and versatile. You could do worse for AAA depth/spot emergency duty.
I agree. I enjoyed watching him play with the White Sox, and I wish him well with San Diego. The closer the Padres come to challenging the Dodgers, the more value his solid field play will have for the big club.
He looks like another Rick Lancellotti
There’s a name I haven’t seen for 30 years!
I think most Tiger fans will rejoice that he is not coming back, but I wish him all the best. Seemed like a decent guy and teammate. Many felt his spot should have gone to a younger player, but supposedly he provided veteran leadership on a young squad. He was fine at second, but defensively did not seem cut out to play SS or 3rd, limiting his value as a utility player.
Yea, I think in the tigers case, you don’t want to advance the youngsters too quickly. Hard line to judge.. he played that role for us a couple years ago
Who was he blocking? Paredes clearly wasn’t ready. Both Castros got the playing time they needed imho – and I doubt either are starting for Detroit when they are poised to contend in the future. Beckham is a AAAA-type player, but he is a vet, a good clubhouse presence and is a serviceable player.
Who was he blocking? Paredes clearly wasn’t ready. Both Castros got the playing time they needed imho – and I doubt either are starting for Detroit when they are poised to contend in the future. Beckham is a AAAA-type player, but he is a vet, a good clubhouse presence and is a serviceable player.
That Dawg just won’t give in. Keep fighting!
I remember when he was supposed to be the next big thing for the White Sox, and it just didn’t work out like that. Good luck to Beckham!
ChiSox brought him up too early. Ugh.
Dumpster Divin’ Kenny Williams
Yet another Top 10 MLB pick who can’t make it in the bigs. This is why trading for established players is much better than trading for, or holding onto pending FA’s for a competitive balance draft pick. They are legitimate lottery tickets at best.
Agreed. You listen to fan bases and they want to cling to every prospect as if they will all hit expectations. If you can win and can get an established difference maker, prospects are currency to get it done.
“Suspects,” not “prospects!”
Honestly had no clue he was in the majors last year, but I also watched zero Tiger games.
I’m a Tiger fan….thanks for the hanky and your sympathy. Tiger baseball was unwatchable, as if having a veteran 2B hitting .215 as a semi-regular didn’t tell you that!
Where’s trader Jack when we need him signing a backup to a backup I don’t get.
Somewhere (the vile) Tim Marchman is very happy to hear this news.
Remember when this guy was a top prospect. He always hits at AAA but just never adjusted to MLB pitching. He was still somewhat a valuable commodity depth-wise for his ability to play multiple positions, specifically SS. Not sure he still has the range to play SS but wish the best for him nonetheless.
WS here we come!
Can’t believe he’s still getting chances.
Pump the brakes. AAA bro.
A much cheaper In Kinsler