Padres sign another utility man to minor league deal as lackluster off-season continues

The San Diego Padres finally made another move in the 2025 off-season, this time signing seven-year veteran Niko Goodrum to a minor league deal. Goodrum, who spent time with five different organizations during the 2024 season, saw his best success in 2018 as a member of the Detroit Tigers, where he slashed .245/.315./.432 in 131 games.

The 2024 season saw Goodrum bounce around the league with relatively bad MLB stats. A successful stint at the Triple-A level however adds some positivity, but the signing seems to be a longshot in hopes of landing an MLB caliber bench option. Even as the Padres are in desperate need of squad depth, the signing is surely not the deal that Padres fans have been hoping for from AJ Preller.

Goodrum looks to be a utility bench option for San Diego

After being drafted in the second round of the 2010 draft by the Minnesota Twins, Goodrum had to wait until 2017 to make his MLB debut. A few successful seasons as a member of the Detroit Tigers saw Goodrum play at almost every position besides pitcher and catcher, solidifying himself as a true utility man.

Goodrum however has struggled in recent years, and the signing by Preller shows just how desperate the team is for any sort of depth. In 33 plate appearances between the Blue Jays and Angels in 2024, Goodrum collected a measly three hits while striking out 10 times. If there is any player that can be described as an absolute longshot to make the Padres Opening Day roster, it's Goodrum.

Even if his stats have been rough since the 2019 season, there is still a reason why the Padres felt the need to pull the trigger and sign the soon to be 33-year-old. His numbers at the Triple-A level during the 2024 season were good, batting .284 over 60 games. Add the fact that Goodrum has played every outfield position and all infield positions but first base in his time in the majors, and there is obvious appeal.

Searching for any sort of replacement for the recently departed Donovan Solano, and with the futures of Kim Ha-seong and Jurickson Profar still unknown, Goodrum may be just the player the Padres need. The question still remains however of will he be good enough to make the team.

Whether or not Goodrum will pan out to be a Donovan Solano or David Peralta type of veteran signing for the Padres is still up for debate. As of now, there is no reason to be certain that Goodrum will even make it to Opening Day, but if there is anything we have learned from Preller's recent signings, it's to never underestimate his eye for a well rounded veteran.