Padres Sign Niko Goodrum to Minor League Deal

The San Diego Padres have signed utility infielder Niko Goodrum to a minor league deal as they seek to bolster their squad depth following a quiet offseason. Goodrum, who has experienced a decline in major league performance recently, had a successful stint in Triple-A and has played multiple positions throughout his career, making him a versatile option for the team. Meanwhile, the Padres are also exploring potential trades to shed payroll, with key players like Luis Arraez and Jake Cronenworth being considered, although experts doubt they would secure substantial returns. The team's inactivity has drawn concern as rivals in the NL West, such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, have made significant moves to strengthen their rosters. Additionally, the Padres are rumored to be interested in bringing back super utility man Jurickson Profar, who had a standout season with the team previously. As the offseason progresses, the Padres face pressure to make impactful decisions to remain competitive in a challenging division.