The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed outfielder Brian Goodwin to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to spring training, adding much-needed veteran depth to the position.
Goodwin will earn $1.6 million with up to $900,000 in bonuses if he makes the roster, a source told the Tribune-Review.
Goodwin, 30, has a career slash line of .250/.317/.455 with 69 doubles, 42 home runs and 129 RBIs in five major league seasons, with the Washington Nationals, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels and Cincinnati Reds. He batted .215 with nine doubles, six homers and 22 RBIs in 50 games last season, split between the Angels and Reds.
A 2011 first-round pick by the Nationals, he was traded to the Royals in July 2018 but released the following March. He signed with the Angels and batted a career-best .262 with 29 doubles, three triples, 17 homers and 47 RBIs in 2019 and was the Opening Day right fielder for the Angels last season. Goodwin was traded to the Cincinnati Reds at the deadline, but was non-tendered after batting .163 in 20 games.
Goodwin robbed Colin Moran of a leadoff home run in center field in the ninth inning of a 4-1 win over the Pirates Sept. 15 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Goodwin brings a proven player to the competition in center with Anthony Alford, Jared Oliva, Cole Tucker and Troy Stokes Jr., who was claimed off waivers this offseason.
Goodwin has played 132 games in left, 126 in center and 58 in right in his career. He has made the most starts in center (109), followed by left (94) and right (42). That versatility would allow the Pirates to use Bryan Reynolds in left or center and to give Gregory Polanco more time to heal from a fractured right wrist.
