The Houston Astros and their long-standing relationship with super-utilityman Marwin Gonzalez has finally come to an end, as the club reportedly has signed Niko Goodrum to a one-year, $2.1MM contract, per Jon Heyman.
Niko Goodrum signs Astros deal. $2.1M plus incentives.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 13, 2022
The versatile switch-hitter has been a frequently used utilityman for the Detroit Tigers for the past four years after signing a minor-league contract with the club in the 2017-2018 offseason.
Goodrum, 30, possesses multiple noteworthy tools aside from his defensive versatility. Twice he has hit for double-digit home run totals, topping out at 16 back in 2018 for the Tigers. He also is a menace on the basepaths, stealing over 10 bases in three of the last four seasons.
Last season as a member of the Tigers, Goodrum appeared in 90 games for the club; playing five different positions, hitting 9 home runs and posting a lower-than-normal batting average while striking out at an alarming rate. History has shown that he is better than his 2021 numbers suggest.
For the Houston Astros, Goodrum will provide the club with a new, younger version of Marwin Gonzalez. While the newest Astro may not immediately be penciled in to a starting role due to the presence of established veterans at each position he can play, shortstop or center field may provide the easiest path to playing time.
At shortstop, it’s looking like the Astros plan on handing over the starting role to rookie Jeremy Pena, who has yet to appear in a single big league game. In center, Chas McCormick will be returning after hitting 10 home runs last season for Houston down the stretch. With only Aledmys Diaz and Jose Siri on the bench to fill in at either of those spots, Goodrum will provide insurance there while also backing up Altuve at second, Bregman at third, Gurriel at first and Brantley/Tucker in the corner outfield spots.
The Houston Astros have signed super-utilityman Niko Goodrum to a one-year, $2.1MM contract. It is a low risk signing that could potentially be high-reward if he is able to replicate his production from seasons past in Detroit.