ESPN NEWSFLASH: Tigers fans furious at poor management as Tigers lose club- promising player to division-rival Twins in free agency

This offseason, the Detroit Tigers have been one of the more active teams on the free agent market. Kenta Maeda, Andrew Chafin, and, most recently, Jack Flaherty are all marquee acquisitions who will be able to have an immediate impact on the squad at the big league level. However, the Tigers have signed 11 minor league players, largely pitchers, to provide them with more depth options in the farm system.

A former Tiger was also just signed to a minor league contract, but not with the Tigers. Niko Goodrum, who spent four seasons with the Tigers before being DFA’ed in 2021, signed with the division rival Minnesota Twins on December 14, signifying his comeback to MLB after a brief spell in the KBO and a reunion with the organization that selected him.

In free agency, the Tigers lose once-promising player Niko Goodrum to the division-rival Twins.

After appearing in only 11 games for the Twins in 2017, Goodrum was released and opted free agency, eventually signing with the Tigers. He stood out in spring training in 2018 and made Detroit’s Opening Day roster, eventually playing in 131 games for the Tigers that season. In an unexpected and promising rookie season, he batted.245/.315/.432 with 16 home runs and 53 RBI, earning him the Detroit Tigers Rookie of the Year title.
He had comparable numbers in 112 games in 2019, but had a significant drop in 2020 and 2021. Due to injuries and poor performance, his playing time was reduced before he was outrighted again, opted free agency, and signed a minor level deal with the Astros for 2022.

The Astros released him after 15 tough games at the major league level in Houston, resulting in a.116/.156/.163 line, and he was picked up by the Red Sox in December 2022. He was never a member of the Boston Red Sox’s major league roster, which led him to the KBO, which brings us to now.

The Twins may see something in Goodrum that they can rehabilitate in their minor system, but this appears to be a competitor signing that the Tigers can easily let go. If Goodrum can make the comeback of the century by breaking back into the majors and causing some trouble for the Tigers as they try to win the division, things will be different, but for now, all we can do is wish him luck.