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Yankees Designate Willie Calhoun For Assignment

By Steve Adams | July 28, 2023 at 9:47am CDT

The Yankees announced Friday that they’ve reinstated outfielder Willie Calhoun from the injured list and designated him for assignment. Calhoun had been on a rehab assignment in Double-A but is out of minor league options, meaning once he wrapped up that rehab he’d either need to be placed back on the big league roster or designated. The Yankees opted for the DFA route and will now have until Tuesday to trade him. He’ll otherwise be placed on outright or release waivers.

With reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge expected back from the injured list tonight, the Yankees’ outfield is on the verge of becoming more crowded. New York could’ve parted with any of Billy McKinney, Jake Bauers or Greg Allen as a means of getting Calhoun back onto the roster, but the former two have outhit Calhoun this year while the latter provides a far better glove and a backup option in center field.

Calhoun, 28, once ranked as one of the sport’s top minor league talents but has never delivered the type of offense that was expected of him as a bat-first prospect. He signed a minor league deal with the Yanks in the offseason and has since turned in a .239/.309/.403 batting line (96 wRC+) in 149 trips to the plate. Calhoun has walked at an above-average 9.4% rate against a considerably lower-than-average 13.4% strikeout rate, showing a keen eye at the plate and strong bat-to-ball skills. Calhoun also sports a 90.7 mph average exit velocity and 42.6% hard-hit rate — both strong numbers in their own right.

Be that as it may, Bauers and McKinney have both shown more power in their also-limited time with the Yankees. Judge and center fielder Harrison Bader are, of course, locked into the regular lineup now that the former is set to return from the injured list. Giancarlo Stanton is set as the primary designated hitter. None of McKinney, Bauers, Allen or Calhoun can be optioned, so the Yankees effectively had to decide between the four — and Calhoun proved the odd man out.

There’s a chance Calhoun will be moved between now and the trade deadline, but it could be the end of his time with the Yankees regardless. Even if he’s ultimately passed through waivers unclaimed, he’d have the option to refuse an outright assignment in favor of free agency.

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New York Yankees Transactions Willie Calhoun

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View Comments (54)
Post a Comment

54 Comments

  1. rmullig2

    2 years ago

    Just not a good enough hitter to make up for his complete lack of defensive skills.

    13
    Reply
    • Captain-Judge99

      2 years ago

      C’mon he’s a gold glove defender compared to Jake”the rake” Bauers!

      5
      Reply
  2. SODOMOJO

    2 years ago

    Sheesh, guy was hitting cleanup at the game I went to at TMobile last month

    3
    Reply
    • Captain-Judge99

      2 years ago

      If Calhoun clears waivers( no chance)he can go back to batting clean-up for the Yankees at AAA then.

      4
      Reply
      • seamaholic 2

        2 years ago

        Nope. He can refuse an optional assignment and become a free agent.

        1
        Reply
        • MarioP

          2 years ago

          You mean outright assignment. There is a difference.

          2
          Reply
  3. Kayrall

    2 years ago

    “Ohtani trade imminent!” – Yankees fans, probably

    1
    Reply
    • JPR

      2 years ago

      absolutely, clearing roster space. IKF and Torres should do it

      Reply
      • Captain-Judge99

        2 years ago

        Nooooooo

        2
        Reply
      • Captain-Judge99

        2 years ago

        Ohtani isn’t going to be traded, the Halo’s have even said already, he would definitely be a very expensive rental. Probably not worth it for about a $600 million dollar contract in the off-season.

        3
        Reply
        • vtadave

          2 years ago

          Whoosh!!!

          2
          Reply
    • Captain-Judge99

      2 years ago

      Nah, but the Yankees have been talking to the Padres but about that other guy who could be available though. Hint: Also on the West Coast.

      1
      Reply
      • Ronk325

        2 years ago

        Having a conversation with yourself today?

        3
        Reply
      • Brew88

        2 years ago

        what evidence do you have that they’ve talked to Preller about Soto?

        2
        Reply
    • Joe says...

      2 years ago

      “This is what Yankees fans are going to say.” -Yankees haters, definitely

      8
      Reply
    • LunaNYY

      2 years ago

      Othani don’t like it in the east coast so stop the hate. And I’m a yankee fan we can’t play Stanton and we would not see Cole every 5days if we get othani because we need six man rotation for othani. So instead of solving problem we create two problems. So no for othani and othani will be the highest paid in baseball Yankees need athletic players and younger.

      1
      Reply
    • Brick House Coffee Tables Inc

      2 years ago

      No Refsnyder, no deal.

      Reply
  4. DCartrow

    2 years ago

    Snowmen have longer legs.

    4
    Reply
  5. kidnova

    2 years ago

    This guy was never the same after he took that fastball to the face. Look at what he did in 2019 versus the rest of his career, I don’t think he was ever right mentally after that.

    1
    Reply
    • mlb fan

      2 years ago

      A lot of guys had career yrs in 2019; Belli, Yelich and many others I do believe. I’m a little biased on this one, because Willie Calhoun always mashed for me, when I used the Texas Rangers in MLB The Show 2019.

      Reply
      • Captain-Judge99

        2 years ago

        Then just keep playing the Show, and hopefully he continues to mash for you. I wouldn’t be surprised the dude can hit a fastball.

        3
        Reply
    • rmhtwo23

      2 years ago

      You are right. Im watched a lot of his AB’s in slow motion. He closed his stance to hide that he bails out on anything inside. Ive watched him bail out on a lefthanders curve ball before. Front foot, and hips move away from the plate a foot. Its a serious mental block for him, and understandable. I think its made him a complete guess hitter that is feast or famine.

      Reply
  6. Captain-Judge99

    2 years ago

    Someone out there should take a flyer out there on Mr. Calhoun, he can definitely hit and help some team out there.

    2
    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      2 years ago

      A team that is offensively-starved just DFA’d Calhoun. What makes you think he can help another team?

      5
      Reply
  7. Joshy

    2 years ago

    Surprised the Yankees were able to make him useful for a bit. Good on him for bringing the career back.

    2
    Reply
    • mlb fan

      2 years ago

      Totally surprised too.

      1
      Reply
  8. whyhayzee

    2 years ago

    Calling all stations, clear the air lanes, clear all air lanes for the big broadcast. Error in Judgement’s toe will be in the line up tonight.

    Reply
    • Joe says...

      2 years ago

      At least you’re a Svengoolie fan.

      Reply
      • DCartrow

        2 years ago

        Rubber chicken- flingin’ Svengoolie fan here as well.

        Reply
        • whyhayzee

          2 years ago

          Svengoolie is very educational. Sure he’s silly, but there’s lots of nuggets in there as well.

          Reply
    • Who else

      2 years ago

      Hitting 239, Lol. That’s more than most tigers are hitting.

      Reply
  9. Datashark

    2 years ago

    If he clears, I bet the A’s or Royals take a shot as his .239 average would almost be top hitter on the A’s right now.

    1
    Reply
  10. nottinghamforest13

    2 years ago

    A terrible attitude and clubhouse cancer with an abysmal work ethic. Any team that takes a chance on him will regret every moment of his lazy presence.

    2
    Reply
    • jbeerj

      2 years ago

      You seem to say that about pretty much everybody.

      3
      Reply
      • HatlessPete

        2 years ago

        @jbeer well maybe not everybody everybody, but a certain kind of everybody yeah probably

        Reply
  11. HankAaronDidGreenies

    2 years ago

    Interesting, Brian does know that DFAing is a thing.

    1
    Reply
    • mlbnyyfan

      2 years ago

      All the Yankees mediocre players are out of options. Who’s next when Judge and Cortes gets back

      Reply
      • StudWinfield

        2 years ago

        Bauer’s DFA and Ramirez option. Trevino can still be moved to the 60. I think McKinney will get the majority of AB’s in left. Allen and IKF will be pr’s and defense backing up Judge and Stanton.

        Reply
      • jopeness

        2 years ago

        probably Abreu or Ramirez for Cortes. Willie was for Judge.

        Reply
        • StudWinfield

          2 years ago

          Calhoun wasn’t on the active roster. Doubt they DFA abreau when they can just option Ramirez.

          Reply
    • Cashmanhater

      2 years ago

      It was tough

      Reply
  12. The Saber-toothed Superfife

    2 years ago

    Detroit

    Reply
  13. User 3617846742

    2 years ago

    The Yankee Rumor guess should be how many excuses Trashman uses for his lame wheeling and dealing? Plus, how many great deals out of the trash cans can he add to the Yankee roster.

    2
    Reply
  14. evilroyslade

    2 years ago

    Whe they do trade for a leftfielder dfa all except Allen. Put Florial on the 40 man roster. Best way to go this year is with pitching and defense.

    1
    Reply
    • Cashmanhater

      2 years ago

      But that would make sense. I’d rather trade a few prospects for someone who was almost good 5 years ago and hope he finds lightning in a bottle.

      1
      Reply
  15. Mikenmn

    2 years ago

    He’s a fourth outfielder competing with three other fourth outfielders. He’ll probably join Aaron Hicks and put up 2 WAR through the end of the season?

    Reply
  16. Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman

    2 years ago

    Let’s just entertain Juan Soto trade to the Yankees. What can they offer prospect wise to the Padres? I can definitely see lots of money moving from New York to San Diego to cover salary but outside of Jasson Dominguez (who hasn’t done much of anything yet) and Spencer Jones (who looks like more of a mlb player than Dominguez) who do they really have to dangle for Juan Soto?

    Reply
  17. Frankie Bani

    2 years ago

    Othani before came to play in USA he said won’t play for the Yankees

    Reply
  18. Mikeyl

    2 years ago

    Once judge reinjures his toe they can bring calhoon back

    Reply
  19. Tommy Toughknuckles

    2 years ago

    Willie can probably have a nice little career in Korea or Japan.

    Reply
    • DCartrow

      2 years ago

      Not to mention be somewhat tall for the first time in his playing career.

      1
      Reply
      • Tommy Toughknuckles

        2 years ago

        Haha no doubt

        Reply
  20. dasit

    2 years ago

    too bad. seems like a good guy and i had him as my “random yankee that has a huge postseason moment” pick

    Reply
  21. hoof hearted

    2 years ago

    can Willie play 2b? M’s could use him

    Reply

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