So what are the Pirates getting with veteran outfielder Brian Goodwin; what are his strengths?
"I'm good looking," Goodwin laughed when asked what he'll bring to Pittsburgh.
Actually, the well-traveled Goodwin is much more modest. "I just come in and be myself," he says, "that seems to work everywhere else in life so I don't see it being much different. Just showing up early, working hard and being consistent."
The 30-year old Goodwin seemed to find traction as a fourth outfielder in Washington in 2017 with 13 home runs, 21 doubles and an OPS of .811 but fell off the following season and was traded to Kansas City.
The Angels claimed him off waivers in and he had his best season in 2019, batting .262 with 17 HRs, 47 RBIs and a .796 OPS. It looked like Goodwin was ready to establish himself - and then 2020 happened.
The pandemic hit mid-March, just when veterans typically start to gear up for the regular season and Goodwin says he never really recovered when the season finally did begin.
"We didn't have a lot of time to really practice," Goodwin explains. "For me the season just kind of sped up a little bit with how we started and came back immediately into at bats that counted." Getting traded to Cincinnati mid-season probably didn't help matters.
Considering the shortened season, his overall numbers weren't awful compared to 2017 and 2019 but certainly not to Goodwin's liking. "I hate to make excuses," he says, "I just need to be better."
Pittsburgh will provide a change of scenery but also some familiarity. Goodwin is looking forward to be reunited with assistant hitting coach Christian Marrero and minor league hitting coaches Jon Nunally and Johnny Tucker, guys he has worked with and played with at various stops over the years.
Even though he is in camp on a minor league contract, Goodwin should get a chance to play and possibly start in center field. He has played all 3 outfield positions but says he's played mostly left and center in his games at PNC Park. He says he has always enjoyed playing here and hopes fans are able to return soon. "Pittsburgh has great fans," Goodwin says, "they're very good even to opposing teams and I've had some great times there."
Of course, now playing for the home team, some of those fans may not be as kind if Goodwin is having a tough game. But he will roll with it. "If fans are out there heckling I'll turn around and talk to them," Goodwin smiles, "usually by the end of the game we'll reach an understanding."
And if he gets bored, Goodwin can always strike up a conversation. "Sometimes I'll be the one that starts the conversation just to interact with fans and make it a different experience."
Goodwin is also reunited with a couple of college teammates. He played with Jacob Stallings and Colin Moran at North Carolina.
Did the quiet Moran talk any more back then? "Nah," Goodwin chuckles, "he hasn't changed much."
