Under-the-radar free agents the Blue Jays should look into

Niko Goodrum

I’ll be really upfront about this. Niko Goodrum is not a very good hitter. He’s not 2021 Cody Bellinger bad, but it’s certainly not the part of the game where excels. Goodrum came into the league with the Minnesota Twins in 2017, but only appeared in 11 games before leaving for Detroit in free agency that offseason. During his four years with the Tigers, Goodrum struggled at the plate, posting a career 90 OPS+ with the team. For most non-catchers, this notably below average bat would be a deal-breaker. But he brings value in a way that most players don’t.

Niko Goodrum is the ultimate utility man. Although he’s primarily a shortstop, Goodrum has played at every position, other than pitcher and catcher, throughout his career. He doesn’t just play those positions though, he thrives there. Per baseball savant, from 2019 to 2021, Goodrum was in the 96th, 96th, and 86th percentile for defensive outs above average respectively.

This versatility that he brings is rare in today’s game and could create roster flexibility on any team that he signs with. What I mean by that is by having Goodrum on your team as a backup at pretty much every position, will open up space for more players at other positions, whether that be having three catchers or maybe an extra reliever. He’s also a good base stealer, having stolen 21 bases in the 133 games he’s played in over the past two seasons. He may not be the big bat that some fans want, but someone like Niko Goodrum helps your team in more ways than one.