6-Year MLB Veteran Signs In Korea

He's acquired over 1500 plate appearances in the major leagues over six seasons, but with no job lined up for 2023, infielder/outfielder Niko Goodrum has signed on with the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization.

New Lotte Giant Niko Goodrum is expected to arrive in Korea on the 15th and the goal is to have him active by the 21st. https://t.co/VnNAFix0dz pic.twitter.com/j5q6b6UBAu

— Dan Kurtz (@MyKBO) July 11, 2023

He'll be paid $400,000 for the balance of the KBO season.

Goodrum had signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox before the season, but after failing to get the call to Beantown by July, he exercised his opt-out clause at AAA and became a free agent.

The 31-year-old is a versatile defender, having played all positions on the field over his time in the majors, aside from catcher and pitcher. His offense, with a career OPS+ of 85, has always been below average, however. He carries a .226 lifetime mark with a .688 OPS. His high point was the 2018 season with the Detroit Tigers, when he launched 16 home runs to go with 12 stolen bases in 131 games.

He did have a solid year with the Triple-A Woo Sox this season, batting .280 with an .888 OPS, seven dingers and eight swipes in 65 games.

Photo: Rick Cinclair/Telegram & Gazette / USA TODAY NETWORK