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Detroit Tigers reportedly sign Niko Goodrum and Kevin Comer

By Ben Rosener

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 06: A detail of a Detroit Tigers hat and glove are seen during warm ups against the New York Yankees during Game Five of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 6, 2011 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 06: A detail of a Detroit Tigers hat and glove are seen during warm ups against the New York Yankees during Game Five of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 6, 2011 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Tigers
DETROIT, MI – APRIL 7: A general view of Comerica Park prior to the start of the opening day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers on April 7, 2017 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Niko Goodrum

Also reportedly joining the Detroit Tigers is Niko Goodrum.

Goodrum, who like Comer is still only 25, made his Major League debut with the Minnesota Twins in 2017.

He hit .059 in 18 plate appearance, but showed potential on the base paths with a 0.2 BsR in such a small sample size.

Goodrum fared much better at Triple-A last season, where hit .265 with a .309 on-base percentage, a .435 slugging percentage, a .325 wOBA and a 102 wRC+.

The ex-Twin also chipped in with 71 runs scored, 66 RBI, 25 doubles, 13 home runs, 11 stolen bases and five triples.

The former second-round pick could be an eventual replacement for Romine given his versatility.

Last season with Minnesota’s Triple-A affiliate Goodrum appeared in and started games at all four infield spots and all three outfield spots.

As it would happen, Goodrum played for new Triple-A Toledo manager Doug Mientkiewicz in 2014 with the Fort Myers Miracle (Advanced-A) in the Florida State League and again in 2015 and 2016 with the Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A) in the Southern League.

In conclusion

Signings like Comer and Goodrum will be key for the Detroit Tigers moving forward.

It’s unlikely that Detroit, or any team for that matter, will again find a player who can make an impact like J.D. Martinez after joining in a relatively minor transaction.

Next: 3 hypothetical Ian Kinsler trade ideas involving the Angels

Still, the more young players the Tigers bring in as depth pieces, the more likely it is that some of them stick as contributors for the Major League club.

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