The Astros are signing Niko Goodrum to a one-year, $2.1MM deal, reports Jon Heyman of the MLB Network (Twitter link). The deal also contains possible incentives. Goodrum is a client of Roc Nation Sports.
Goodrum, who turned 30 last month, has spent the past four seasons with the Tigers. He actually debuted as a September call-up with the Twins in 2017, but he was quickly outrighted off Minnesota’s roster and elected minor league free agency. He hooked on with Detroit that offseason, and he almost immediately played his way into a regular role there.
The lefty-hitting utilityman bounced around the diamond in 2018, seeing a fair bit of action at both middle infield positions, third base and in the corner outfield. Goodrum earned a career-high 492 plate appearances that year with a league average .245/.315/.432 showing at the plate. He hit 16 home runs and stole 12 bags. The Georgia native mostly that backed that solid showing up the following year, hitting .248/.322/.421 in 472 trips to the dish.
Goodrum at least looked to be emerging as a high-end utility option for Detroit, and it seemed he might carve out a role as the long-term answer at shortstop. Even during his two best seasons, he had an alarming strikeout rate though, and swing-and-miss concerns have particularly mounted over the past couple years. Goodrum punched out in an untenable 38.5% of his trips to the plate during the shortened 2020 season, stumbling to a .184/.263/.335 line. His 2021 numbers were a bit better, but a .214/.292/.359 line with a 32.9% strikeout rate marked his second consecutive below-average campaign.
On the heels of the down seasons, the Tigers non-tendered Goodrum in November. He’d been projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz for a $2.9MM arbitration salary that Detroit felt a bit lofty. Goodrum’s deal with the Astros won’t guarantee him quite as much, but he’ll land a roster spot with an immediate contender. He might have a path to regular playing time at shortstop, at least early in the season.
The Astros have seen Carlos Correa hit free agency, leaving Aledmys Díaz as the top in-house option at shortstop. Díaz has a superior offensive track record to Goodrum, but he’s rated as a below-average defender at shortstop throughout his career. Top prospect Jeremy Peña figures to take the position over at some point soon, but he was limited to 133 Triple-A plate appearances by injury last season. Peña should immediately be a strong defensive option when he’s big league ready, but the presence of Díaz and Goodrum give the win-now Astros some cover in the event he doesn’t hit the ground running at the plate.
Goodrum has four-plus years of big league service time. The Astros could keep him around via arbitration in 2023 if he turns things around offensively and the club feels he warrants a raise via that process.
Didn’t know he was non tendered.
No. If Correa indeed leaves, then their replacement is likely Pena. Also, Jake Meyers is their young CF and he’s out until end of May at least. Goodrum can work both those positions and more. This is a solid depth move that helps multiple areas of need, but a true solution to neither.
I agree but I don’t know what that has to do with me thinking the tigers retained him
Correa’s replacement?
Yes maybe.
Yes.
Unlikely. He is just a super utility switch hitter who can be a manager’s best friend. Astros love those guys.
Huge downgrade if so. This is more of a bench piece before correas replacement
Depth move in case Jeremy Peña needs more seasoning at triple a.
bingo
Jeremy Pena is Correa’s replacement. Hes one of our top prospects. Goodrum is insurance and depth should pena fail or need more aaa seasoning
Part of a replacement for part of a season until service time isn’t an issue.
Boras is working to have Correa save face when he goes back to the Astros.
MLBTR is broken and this is only the beginning.
How?
It’s been over an hour and they haven’t updated some of these posts. This isn’t a knock on the writers, it’s just a testament to how much is going on. And it’s not like any really big names have signed yet, which is why I said it’s only the beginning.
@ DodgersWorldChamps2020+2022;
Please tell us what outlet in America is doing a better job regarding today’s MLB transactions than MLBTR.
Rook.
Robel Garcia thinks this is a terrible signing.
And they have a full 40 so who gets the shaft for Niko?
My guess is Forest Whitley
My guess is Seth Martinez
I fully expected them to wait until they could move somebody to the IL
My guess Meyers goes on the 60 day IL to recover from shoulder surgery.
Wishful thinking?
Odorizzi, my guess is they attach a lower lever prospect to him for a mid level prospect return.
I think we are at 39
Strange. They have a full roster and many utility players.
Is this the Astros’ first big-league deal to a position player who hadn’t previously been in the org since the sign stealing scandal?
Niko is a great humanitarian. I truly hope the best for that man, no matter where he ends up.
Utility guy with below average bat. Good luck with the Astros Niko…
As a Tigers fan I’ll say he is a great super utility defender, but there’s a 12 foot hole in his swing and he has had problems staying healthy. If he’s who you all signed to start at SS, I truly hope you have some depth at AAA.
As a Tigers fan, I can say for sure there is nothing great or super about his defense. He’s a light-hitting utility man who can give you a game or two around the diamond when someone needs a day off. He’s a good guy and a hard worker though, so there’s that…
Another Tigers fan here, definitely “light” hitting utility guy can also play corner OF if pressed…
He’s a lesser Diaz. In a pinch I would rather play Bregman at SS, and Diaz at 3B with Goodrum backing up. If it’s a toss up between Diaz, Pena and Goodrum starting at SS, I’d roll the dice on Pena.
I don’t like Diaz defensively, offensively it goes Diaz, Pena, Goodrum
Good bench piece.
This is kind of a “whatever“ type of move. But it is an indicator that the Astros are preparing to move forward without Correa. It’s also an indicator they won’t be bidding for Trevor Story. This looks like insurance while they develop Pena
@ MuteButton;
I believe this is a typical Astros move to see if their coaches can rework a guy that can play a role off the bench for them. If it works out that’s great; if not he’ll be gone during the season and the Astros will bring in someone to replace him from their farm system, via waivers, or in a minor trade.
And this has nothing at all to do with Correa.
Good power, good speed, solid defensively anywhere. Just needs to put the bat on the ball.
If that was the case, he wouldn’t have been non tendered. Constant mental errors negate his physical talent both offensively and defensively. He lacks concentration and smarts.
Not a big fan. They need to just let the kid play.
Houston, huh? Well I guess knowing what pitch is coming might help the ole’ whiff rate.
Kind of like knowing what old, stale, rotting joke is coming.
You must be pure as the driven snow, and not at all some weirdo.
Always thought there was more to this guy but sadly he’s blatantly mediocre.
Goodrum is a switch hitter. He reminds me of old astro, marwin gonzalez, the Swiss Army Knife a few years back. Not nearly as good, but similar. He might need some trash can training or one of those special shirts from Altuve. I expect him to miraculously improve.
Stay mad.
Tiger fans in general will agree on this: the Astros just became that much weaker of a team.
Niko’s was a popular non-tender in Detroit, He regressed across the board from his first two Tiger seasons.
This is a weak move!! I have seen this dude strike out most of his at bats what happened with Trevor Story obviously correas not coming back