TODAY: Morosi reports that the Yankees have granted Calhoun his release, allowing him to return to the free agent market where he can search for a new minor league deal.
June 1: Veteran outfielder Kole Calhoun has exercised an out clause in his minor league deal with the Yankees, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com. The team will have 72 hours to add him to the roster or else grant him his release, Morosi adds. The 35-year-old Calhoun has had a strong start in Scranton, slashing .293/.402/.561 with four homers, six doubles and a pair of triples in 97 trips to the plate thus far.
Calhoun, who’s spent the bulk of his career with the Angels, was a steadily productive right fielder with generally strong defense from 2013-20, batting a combined .249/.324/.431 with 156 home runs in 4183 plate appearances and winning a Gold Glove (2015) during that time. He’s twice topped 25 home runs in a season — 26 in 2015 and 33 in 2019’s juiced-ball season — and has otherwise been good for 15 to 20 homers per year. His pull-side power would seem like a good fit for Yankee Stadium if they opt to bring the veteran up to the big league roster.
Yankees outfielders have been woefully unproductive as a whole in 2023, batting a combined .218/.284/.417 — good for a 91 wRC+ that ties them for 23rd in Major League Baseball. That production has come almost entirely from Aaron Judge (.262/.385/.627) and the again-injured Harrison Bader (.261/.290/.511).
With Giancarlo Stanton limited to 21 plate appearances so far, the Yankees have leaned on a rotating door of utility players, journeymen and unproductive veterans as they look to round out their outfield. None of Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Aaron Hicks, Franchy Cordero, Willie Calhoun or Oswaldo Cabrera has been productive, however, and more recent additions like Jake Bauers and Greg Allen don’t have the big league track record to inspire much optimism.
The Yankees optioned Cordero and Cabrera to Triple-A today, likely setting the stage for the return of Stanton (as well as Josh Donaldson and reliever Tommy Kahnle). That’ll add one outfield-capable bat back to the lineup, but given the dismal production from the bulk of the Yankees’ corner options, there’s certainly a case for giving the elder Calhoun a look rather than letting him return to free agency.
He always hit well and played well against the yanks! Like to see him get a chance to play and prove himself but it looks like not with the yankees unfortunately!
May the real Calhoun please stand up!
outside Judge, here is the current OF tandem for the Yankees.
IFK….
Greg Allen…
Willie Calhoun…
Jake Bauers…
Franchy Cordero…
big apple – more like big gulp, huh?
Not very impressive, at all. Yankee spent all the money on judge, and Rodon. George is performing, as usual, Rodan is yet to even show up. They have a lot riding on him, hopefully he will be seen at some point this year
George who?
Which Calhoun to keep?
IKF has value, but the rest of that bunch is fortunate to even be employed at any level of baseball.
Greg Allen is out with a hip flexor.
Braves put him in left!
No thanks! Ozuna was on fire for a micro moment, now he’s headed back to the Mendoza line. I like Pillar & Hilliard, not another sub .200 hitter
I’m with ya, Curls!
I wish Ozuna could learn to maintain a stiff upper lip instead of that bulging lower one.
Hopefully the Yankees add him to the roster, I feel like Calhoun is definitely still good enough to be in the big leagues.
Kole Calhoun is an exceptional RF. Milwaukee really need to do something different in their OF.
San Diego. Tatis to center
obvious, but the Yankees did not option Oswald Peraza today.
“The Yankees optioned Cordero and infielder Oswald Peraza to Triple-A today, likely setting the stage for the return of Stanton (as well as Josh Donaldson and reliever Tommy Kahnle).”
Augh, yes. I meant Oswaldo Cabrera. Thanks for that. It’s been updated.
Calhoun is a defensive asset with a cannon for an arm. Hope he finds a home for a few more years.
Calling Scott Harris…
I wonder what the Tigers could receive for Zach Mckinstry and Rodriguez after he returns from his finger issue. McKinstry has been a find for Harris.
They should clone McKinstry, not trade him. He’s been the only one who’s been able to play second or third for them with any consistency.
A shame, a far better player than the other Calhoun. And a good outfielder. Boone protects his favorites.
Hello Cardinals?