MLB rumors: 5 trade targets for the Houston Astros

4. Niko Goodrum, IF/OF, Detroit Tigers

Houston has gotten Jose Altuve and George Springer back from injury recently, but shortstop Carlos Correa (ribs) is likely out until after the All-Star break and Aledmys Diaz (hamstring) has also been out. Alex Bregman has shifted over to shortstop regularly in Correa’s absence, with Myles Straw mixing in, too, as he has also seen time in the outfield.

So far this season, Goodrum has played shortstop (25 games), left field (17 games), first base (13 games), center field (six games), right field (four games), second base (four games) and third base (one game). He’s only hitting .234 so far, and he strikes out a lot (86 times in 302 plate appearances: 28.5 percent). But he has driven in 25, with 17 doubles, seven stolen bases and a walk rate that isn’t terrible (9.9 percent). Solid offensive production coupled with multi-position utility equals under-appreciated value, and Houston is one of the organizations in baseball that will recognize it the best.

The Astros should get their infield depth back soon, then everything can go back to the natural order with Correa and Bregman holding down their typical posts on the left side. But Goodrum can fill a super-utility role, and Houston could have him on their radar as a bench reinforcement. A single deal that gets Boyd and Goodrum from the Tigers seems possible.