May 5: The White Sox confirmed the deal, and assistant GM Chris Getz tells The Athletic’s James Fegan and other reporters that Goodwin will report to Triple-A in the near future (Twitter link).
May 4, 1:54pm: Goodwin will earn a $1MM salary if the White Sox add him to their 40-man roster, Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets.
1:21pm: The White Sox have agreed to a minor league contract with free-agent outfielder Brian Goodwin, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com (via Twitter). It’s a natural fit for a White Sox club that just learned it’ll be without center fielder Luis Robert for the next three to four months. Goodwin is represented by MVP Sports.
The 30-year-old Goodwin had an opt-out clause in a minor league deal with the Pirates and hit the market yesterday. He’s certainly not a star, but with the exception of a disastrous 20-game stint with the Reds in 2020, which consisted of a mere 55 plate appearances, he’s been a solid hitter in the Majors. Goodwin slashed .258/.327/.469 in 166 games with the Angels from 2019-20, and he’s a career .250/.317/.455 hitter in 1124 Major League plate appearances. His sudden return to the market made this a fairly straightforward fit for a White Sox club that has lost both Robert and Eloy Jimenez for the bulk of the season — if not the entirety of it — due to injury.
The White Sox have also been without another outfielder, Adam Engel, who has yet to play this year because of a strained right hamstring. General manager Rick Hahn announced yesterday that Engel suffered a setback that will prevent him from starting a minor league rehab assignment for three weeks (Twitter link via Scott Merkin of MLB.com). Hahn later suggested the White Sox would look to the trade route for outfielders, and while that still may be the case, they’re turning to the open market in this instance. For now, their primary outfielders are Andrew Vaughn, Leury Garcia and Adam Eaton.
Notably, there’s already familiarity between Hahn and Goodwin, whom the White Sox chose in the 17th round of the 2009 draft. Goodwin decided not to sign with the White Sox, though, instead electing to attend the University of North Carolina. It was a wise move by Goodwin, who boosted his stock enough for the Nationals to draft him 34th overall in 2011. Ten years later, he’s headed to the Chicago organization.
Someone here called it. I don’t remember who.
Who cares.
Tale up another sport!
Usually I wouldn’t but I distinctly remember somebody saying welcome to the white sox right after he opted out. I just thought it was kind of funny :shrugs
It was me…..yeah that’s the ticket 🙂
I did
Won’t get fooled again
We’re not gonna take it.
That As pitcher Luzardo: a pinball wizard.
How dare you belittle my brilliance of predicting the obvious?!
A good start towards getting some outfield depth
The expected landing spot. He knew the White Sox wanted him before he triggered the opt out.
Wouldn’t that be tampering?
Not if the White Sox didn’t talk with him.
Mayb they communicated via bat signal
He had an opt out specifically so he could join another organization if he wasn’t added to the Pirates MLB roster. I’m sure he has conversations with the Pirates and was informed he wasn’t going to be called up. At that point, his agent would have the right to assess better opportunities. That’s the reason for the opt out. The Pirates could have decided to call up Goodwin if they didn’t want him to leave. They didn’t. No tampering.
It’s really sad to see all of this great young talent be lost for the season. Jimenez, Robert and now May? The fans are really missing out on some good baseball.
You can’t replace Robert. However he’s a solid pickup and a better hitter than Hamilton. A solid stop gap until Engel comes back.
Yeah if he replaces Hamilton that’s a huge upgrade, especially since it would keep TLR from playing Hamilton.
Having Hamilton on the roster not a bad thing. D and speed. Nice piggy back late.
He is literally a replacement-level player. They could do worse.
I don’t know why they don’t like Gonzalez, but I’d rather see him than Goodwin.
I really hope they are exploring trades.
Carlos Gonzalez? Hasn’t that guy retired?
Luis. WS minor leaguer.
Luis Gonzalez- their 3rd rd pick in 2017
Really tough call honestly. Gonzalez is the kind of guy that you wouldn’t mind giving consistent at-bats to if the alternative is giving those at-bats to Leury Garcia or someone similar. Especially if he at least shows he can have a good OBP.
But the team is built to win now, you only have Lynn for one year, etc and that makes it hard give someone so green a big role, especially since his most recent minor league stats aren’t that impressive.
The problem with losing Robert is that he has so much value on both sides of the ball. Hard to be optimistic about 2021 with him gone.
I’ve got a sale going on towels; perfect to throw in.
How about a Sale on throwback jerseys. Edward Scissorhands
Totally agree. A trade appears to be the only way to remain competitive in spite of the lost personnel.
Meh. If they don’t trade, and assuming Eloy-Pantera are ready in August, I can see them trotting out Gonzalez, Blake Rutherford, or Micker. And everyday ABs for Vaughn, who looks ready to rake.
They have enough prospects to get another outfielder. Not one that is elite, but they could certainly package the glut of relievers to get someone like Polanco, Marte or any of the Cubs outfielders. They might even get Blackmon. And right now they would come someone cheap.
That really is about the best they can do right now, but they need to cover themselves with players who have better track records of success.
Polanco went on the IL.
Blackmon has 3 years left for over $50 million why would you want him?
KB, your table is ready. Give up slappy and maybe a Matt Foster type. Mendick slots over at 2b. Win/win.
More like lose/lose.
Nick Madrigal will be a stud at 2B for the next decade on his way to 3000 hits. The Cubs also have a solid young 2B in Nico Hoerner. I love Kris Bryant but not as a rental and for a player who is already an established core player at 2B, a position the White Sox don’t exactly have in spades in their system. Bad take, pal!
Btw: The Cubs won’t do the White Sox any favors if and when it comes to dealing Bryant by the trade deadline. If that’s the case, the White Sox can wait until this offseason when he will just cost them $$$ and perhaps a second round draft pick if he’s tagged with a QO by their northside rivals. If Bryant gets traded this summer the QO won’t be an option for whichever team lands him. With Scott Boras as his agent it’s extremely doubtful Bryant would sign a contract extension before he hits free agency following the season, particularly if he keeps raking like he’s been doing thus far in 2021.
Yeah, trading Madrigal is a no for me.
The team has an abundance of young relievers and some fading outfield prospects who for whatever reason they don’t like. And some young ones like Beard.
If they throw a lot of near ready talent out to a team that is facing a rebuild, they probably can get someone decent if they also agree to eat some of the money.
I dont’ like many of the options, which is why I and others were adamant that they add in the offseason. But this is where we are, so they need to dip into the prospect pool.
Seriously, Burdi, Adolfo, Gonzalez, Sheets, they can’t even get PT. They aren’t great, but if you throw enough lottery tickets at someone, they will eventually bite.
Mr. 3000? Gordon Beckham says hi
Come on, Aaron. I like Madrigal, but statements like “he’s on his way to 3,000 hits” is why White Sox fans are made fun of whenever they go overboard on Madrigal. So 3,000 hits means HOF and he’s therefore one of the greatest players ever. His elite contact skills in an age of swing-or-miss is enjoyable, but I’m quite comfortable predicting he is not on his way to Cooperstown.
Why would the Cubs care about favors? This isn’t 1974. Cubs will take the best offer out there for a diminishing asset. Agree Hahn will probably keep his powder dry and wait till next season, but if the Sox are serious about going all in and truly view Lance Lynn as a rental, than it makes sense to think big, especially if it becomes clear that Robert/Eloy are not coming back. Totally fine with a drama free Danny Mendick in place of slappy.
It doesn’t even have to be a bust. Think of players who shot out of the gate at a young age, racking up hits. Garry Templeton? He was a plus-defensive SS, speedy, rocket arm, two-time All-Star, had over 800 hits, all by the time he was 24, which is Madrigal’s age now. Had a 200-hit season at age 21. Led the league in hits with 211 at 23. Led the league in triples three straight years. Made the majors at 20, posting BA’s of .322, .314 and .319 through his age 24-season. Finished with barely more than 2,000 hits, which is still excellent and something few players ever accomplish, but well short of 3,000. Fine career, but predicting 3,000 hits and thus the HOF is most definitely pointing to the CF bleachers on a guy who has 200 PAs and has yet to hit a HR in the majors.
How about a Cub as another example, a SS and middle infielder? Starlin Castro. Makes the majors at 20 and hits .300. The following season, led the league in hits with 207 at age 21. Nearly 850 hits and a three-time All-Star through his age 24 season, which, once again, is Madrigal’s age now. Castro was on his was to 3,000 hits. Right now he’s limping along toward 2,000.
The list is long of good players never making it to 3,000. Basically, almost all of them!
Templeton has one of the all time classic baseball quotes.In regard to I believe the 1979 All Star game,he said-
If I ain’t startin’,I ain’t departin’!
RobM. Despite his overwordiness, he doesn’t speak for White Sox fans. A sizable plurality suspect Nicki 2 strikes is a tool. And not the good kind you add up to five. Sell high Rick. If not the Cubs someone will bite
Great comparison. Templeton and Starlin. Empty hits. Recall people thinking the Cards got swindled when they traded Templeton. Wonder who they got back in that trade.
Theo-I will help you out.I forget his last name,although I remember it to be a very common one.His first name began with an “O”.
He was a fine fielder,not a great hitter,but a decent one.
He could do back flips, which if I tried them I would have hurt myself badly.
I am sorry that I cannot remember his name.
Go on further than RobMs insightful post. In his career, “Nicky 3000” has 62 hits, a sparkling .330 career BA, and a sizzling. 760 OPS. Gordon Beckham in his rookie season of only 378 AB, had 103 hits and an .808 OPS. Pump the brakes cowboy.
Hyperbole aside, definite no to trading “Slappy”.
The Sox have enough problems generating offense, so great idea trading away one of the few consistent hitters on the team.
I don’t care if his OPS is south of .800, he gets on base and is fast on the basepaths. Once he cleans up his defense, which he’s already well on his way to doing, he will be a plus defender (possibly even a GG). And he’s cheap for the next several years, due to his lack of power. This will become crucial in the next few years when their payroll will swell and they may have to make potentially tough roster decisions.
It blows me away how everything nowadays is about power in baseball. Apparently HR’s and K’s are all that matters. Give me guys who can get on base consistently and get timely hitting. I can never have enough of those guys.
Fair points. Sox nation would be happy if slappy is the contrarian, that once in a generation talent who’s the exception to the 3 outcomes rule. Just wanted to offer a counterweight to the insightful point brought up by RobM about Sox fans looking stupid for drinking the kool-aid about Nicky 2 strikes. The reality is that Sox fans haven’t been this divided about a brash, grindy guy since…um…Adam Eaton. We saw how well that ended. Maybe Slappy needs to leave, win a WS, and then come back to be appreciated. Not looking to run him out of town or give him away, but if someone wants to overpay, sell high, especially if he can bring the piece (KB!) that puts the Sox over the top.
@Dumpster Divin Theo
Likewise, fair points. Every player has a price regarding trades, and if the price for Nicky is met, or better yet exceeded, I can live with it.
I don’t know what it would take to pry KB out of Jed’s claws, but Jed’s at a bit of a disadvantage with the KB market. KB’s not coming back to the Cubs next year, and I think all the GM’s know that, so it’s going to be hard to get a king’s ransom for KB. I don’t think he will be a salary dump, otherwise they would’ve already traded him before ST/OD.
If it does cost Nicky to get KB, they will have to shop for a 2B. Mendick’s fine on the team, but not as the starting 2B. I guess we’ll see the direction the Sox take over the next month or two.
I definitely agree with the sentiment that the Sox need some OF help. Goodwin, Hamilton, Lamb, or any other scrub they are considering won’t cut it for the next few months. Hamilton is fine as the 5th OF, not a starting OF. Lamb reminds me of the AJ Reed experiment. Goodwin, well, he has to make the roster first, though I’d probably go with him out of those 3. Definitely go for 1 OF, wait a little bit on the Engel situation, and if he shows no improvement over the next month, then go for 2 OF.
No. He’s *literally* a career league-average hitter (100 OPS+), which is actually good and vastly better than replacement value.
One dimensional tool. With the emphasis on tool. Sell high. The Cubs would built a monument to him. Augie Ojeda/Ryan Theriot 3.0.
My note was responding to the OP and was in reference to Goodwin being a league-average hitter and thus better than replacement level. I’m not referring to Madrigal. I think we have two conversations mixed here. I think!
Just realized that. Thx for clarifying. Goodwin is totally fine. Actually okay with all the attempts to plug the gap as the expectation is that all 3 will be back at some point in 21. Really think Engel could shine with the opportunity and the system is deep with Trace Thompson types.
The note threading is difficult the more responses!
“the system is deep with Trace Thompson types”
Exactly. That’s why they had to sign Brian Goodwin, and need to make a trade. They have no depth.
I also don’t understand this disdain for Madrigal.
He’s getting the job done. Besides . . . if he is as bad as you say he is, what do you think you are going to get back in return?
He has a career WAR of less than 2 in parts of five years. Average bat, subpar defense. That’s a replacement-level player.
A team of replacement-level players would lose close to 120 games. Basically, the ‘62 Mets. A replacement-level player carries a *negative* WAR. Your answer shows why he’s better than replacement level. The average replacement-level hitter has a 78 OPS+. Goodwin is a league-average 100. He certainly could turn into replacement level, but his career to date is better than replacement level.
Glad he got a shot with a good team. I wanted my Halos to pick him up but this seems like an easy decision. Good luck Goodie!
Surprised he didn’t resign with the Angels. Seems like a Joe Maddon type.
I just saw he was drafted by the White Sox in 2009.
Decent quick fix to help the White Sox with their outfield depth after the Luis Robert injury. Brian Goodwin provides a decent left-handed bat and the ability to play all 3 outfield positions giving Tony La Russa more options to mix and match with veterans Adam Eaton, Leury Garcia, Billy Hamilton and top LF/1B prospect Andrew Vaughn.
Rick Hahn is diving in Theo’s dumpsters now that he left town!
Somebody ring?
If the Sox were smart, they’d add him to the 40-man and dump Lamb. Not sure why Lamb is even on this team. I’m glad I got to “tolerate” 3 years of intentional tanking and over a decade of crap baseball to watch Billy Hamilton, Jake Lamb, and Nick Williams and a farm system still poor (as it was in 2015). Want to see how to tank properly? See Cubs (2011-2014) and Padres (2015-2019). Glittering farm systems, depth, stars, ability to make trades, etc.
don’t forget all the losing the Astros did to build their team.
The Cubs are your example? It’s been 6 seasons, and they haven’t been competitive in the last two. A four year window for 3 years of unwatchable product? And the Cubs have a more depleted system than the Sox.
I agree with the Lamb idea. He’s total garbage and should’ve been released after that awesome bases loaded at-bat on sunday.
You also got to watch Eloy, Robert and Engel all get hurt.
Imagine being a fantasy baseball owner and drafting Eloy, Robert and Engel as yout starting OF. Yup. This guy.
Meh. Signing Lamb was a no risk move, someone with MLB success who served as a safety net. With Vaughn starting to thrive, its prolly time to jettison him. No harm no foul.
Would have been an upgrade over what the Phils run out there in CF. Thought they may take a chance on him since no one else has batted over .200.
Andrew “unplayable in the field” Vaughn
Nope he’s good, especially for someone who’s never played OF before.
LOL
Actually, Vaughn hasn’t been that bad in LF. Maybe I was bracing for a nightmare out there, but he’s far exceeded what I was expecting from him. He will never be a GG in LF, but I’ve seen worse in LF. Some would even argue he’s better in LF than Eloy.
Son of Tom Goodwin.
Nope.
Surprised the Pirates didn’t give him a look on their MLB roster. Can’t be any worse than the combination of Alford, Fowler, and Tom.
It seems to me that the Pirates should have called him up instead of getting Tom.Goodwin is at least a decent ML player who can play centerfield. I think that they think that Tom has more of an upside so we will find out but other than Reynolds the Pirates do not really have any viable outfielders.This Guy would have been a decent stopgap.
The first time this new kid comes up clutch, I’ve got the perfect headline for the Sun Times: “Good win, Goodwin.”
Brian Goodwin is hardly a new kid.
Channeling Ozzie. Everyone new is a kid.
Since it’s just a minor league deal the Angels better call his agent and offer him a real deal. They need him back to play right field. Then let Walsh go back to first base.
Marisnick?
Brian Goodwin is one of those fungible OFers who should be part of an MLB roster. He’s at worst, a good 4th OFer. A little surprised that after a strong 2019 season for the Angels he’d still be on the outside looking in! As someone mentioned above, he does provide a decent LH bat who can play all 3 OF positions. And I have a feeling that the Pale Hose will see if signing Billy Hamilton could turn into something!
Hello Brian Goodwin goodbye (soon to be) Billy Hamilton – Definitely an upgrade.
Isn’t it crazy that as bad as the team has played in many aspects of the game, they are 16-13 and, before today’s game, was tied for first. It doesn’t seem possible. Thank God for their starting pitching.
Yes, the twin potential season-ending injuries will lay a severe hurting on offense, but getting Abreu and Grandal to finally start hitting will go a long way in helping the offense get back to being decent. Even Yoan’s been inconsistent, though he shows signs every so often of breaking out.
The pen is starting to turn the page (despite Hendriks loss today), but still has a long way to go. You get the pen and offense to click consistently and get the defense to be at least respectable, this team can still do some serious damage (or at the very least, keep hanging around until they can make a trade or two near the deadline).
I am cautiously optimistic about the team, but I still do have faith in them. But key players need to turn it around pretty soon, or that faith will dry up quickly. The SP can’t carry the rest of the team forever. The Sox have a huge stretch coming up, which will show us where they stand once the stretch ends. 2 series each (home and away) against KC and Minny, then to the Yanks.
The starters have been outstanding. The pen is looking better.
But they can’t keep marching out a lineup with Billy Hamilton and Leury Garcia, especially with Abreu and Grandal not hitting.
They have had four or fewer total hits in three of the last four games. And the fact they were adamant about not even pitch hitting Eaton tell me they are very concerned about his health, and that could be a factor in his slump.
They need better depth than Brian Goodwin in the outfield.
I disagree about the bullpen. They don’t have someone that can consistently leave inherited runners on base, the guys who were lock down last year (Marshall, Foster, Heuer) have looked very hittable, Crochett looks like he had no confidence, and Hendriks has been a mess in 50% of his appearances (and brilliant the other 50%) Outside of Kopech and surprisingly, Ruiz, this BP has looked shaky all season.
Like the cautious optimism. After a day, ok, five weeks of head shaking over some suspect lapses by Mister TLR, bright side is that this has had a humbling effect on a scrappy guy who was insufferable if in the other dugout, but who has seemingly mellowed with age. The support he has from clubhouse leaders like Jose, TA, Keuchel and Lynn is telling. All the drama upfront, yes as you guys point out, still top of the division and most importantly, #2 in run differential. Maintain that and they’ll pile up series wins. Around the league, top contenders have already had their moment of angst: how’d you like to be the Twins, Yankees, Rays, Braves,, or Mets out of the gate? Or the streakiness of the As or Dodgers (just got swept by the Cubs!)
Good thing Kenny Williams isn’t still the GM. He would be all over Pujols.
If you’re reading this, Rick Hahn (yes, I know he’s not reading this), do not go after him. It may sound tempting, but resist the urge. You’re not going to catch lightning in a bottle from him, otherwise the Angels wouldn’t have ate the $30MM to DFA him.