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Texas Rangers: 3 teams that could take a chance on Willie Calhoun

By Seth Carlson |
Apr 26, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Willie Calhoun (4) reacts after striking out during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Willie Calhoun (4) reacts after striking out during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 26, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Willie Calhoun (4) reacts after striking out during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Willie Calhoun (4) reacts after striking out during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

After a weekend in which the Texas Rangers put on their best showing of the season so far, taking two out of three at home from the defending champion Atlanta Braves, not everyone got to celebrate success.

Willie Calhoun, the longest-tenured Ranger (consecutively, Martin Perez is here but left the team for a while), was optioned to AAA Round Rock following Sunday’s win. And his frustration about the demotion was evident, telling reporters “(I’m) gonna go to Triple A and put myself in a position to get traded,” Calhoun said. “I do want to be traded.”

It’s an unfortunate development for Calhoun, who once brimmed with potential as a prospect acquired in the Yu Darvish-Dodgers trade back in 2017. After a solid year in 2019, injuries and failed promise did Calhoun in with the Texas Rangers, and he now finds himself in a tough position.

Texas should do right by Calhoun and grant his trade request as he seeks a change of scenery. Why waste any more of his time or the organization’s time? Here are three potential trade destinations for the 27-year-old OF/DH.

3 teams the Texas Rangers could trade Willie Calhoun to

1. San Diego Padres

They’re always looking for outfield help.

The relationship between A.J. Preller and Texas is notable. San Diego was in on Joey Gallo at last year’s trade deadline and former Rangers Yu Darvish and Jurickson Profar presently call Petco Park home.

Currently, San Diego’s OF situation is subpar. They have Wil Myers, Trent Grisham and a group of Profar, Jose Azocar and Matt Beaty to mix and match out there. Not great.

Calhoun is from the Bay Area, so returning to the West Coast might be appealing to him, and the Padres would be able to give him a change of scenery and playing time. The fit makes sense. Perhap the Rangers could swing a deal in which they acquire Eric Hosmer along with a top prospect (Robert Hassell?) as suggested last season, sending Calhoun and maybe another piece or two back in the swap.

You never know.

PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 30: Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with teammates after driving in the winning run in the tenth inning against the San Diego Padres during the game at PNC Park on April 30, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 30: Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with teammates after driving in the winning run in the tenth inning against the San Diego Padres during the game at PNC Park on April 30, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

3 teams the Texas Rangers could trade Willie Calhoun to

2. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates have been known to resurrect careers in the past, and they’d be in a great position to give Willie Calhoun ample playing time.

Pittsburgh has Bryan Reynolds, one of the best outfielders in the game, but besides him, there’s not exactly many Robins to his Batman. Greg Allen? Ben Gamel? Yoshi Tsutsugo? Former Ranger Jake Marisnick? Pass. Willie Calhoun could be an upgrade over all three of those aforementioned players, giving a rebuilding club a boost on offense.

If the Texas Rangers are going to make a trade with a team for a young, controllable player like Calhoun, they may as well contact one with a great farm system; the Pirates have one of the best in the business. This isn’t to suggest that Calhoun would command a haul, but it’s worth noting that a potential low-level prospect/PTBNL could be more valuable from the Pirates’ system as opposed to a team with a lesser system.

Apr 30, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants right fielder Luis Gonzalez (51) celebrates with left fielder Darin Ruf (33) and center fielder Mauricio Dubon (1) after defeating the Washington Nationals at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants right fielder Luis Gonzalez (51) celebrates with left fielder Darin Ruf (33) and center fielder Mauricio Dubon (1) after defeating the Washington Nationals at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

3 teams the Texas Rangers could trade Willie Calhoun to

3. San Francisco Giants

This would probably be Willie Calhoun’s ideal scenario, which probably means the Texas Rangers wouldn’t pull the trigger here. Calhoun hails from the Bay Area.

There are few teams better at extracting production out of cast-off players such as Calhoun than the San Francisco Giants, who essentially employ a whole team of castoffs and turned them into a 107-win juggernaut in 2021. They could find value in Willie’s left-handed bat.

The Giants have Joc Pederson, Mike Yastrzemski, Darin Ruf, Austin Slater and Lamonte Wade Jr. (on IL), so they may appear set in the outfield, but Calhoun fits right in with their platoon mold, someone who they could use in advantageous situations in a game, as manager Gabe Kapler so often likes to do.

Next. This 1 change could make the Rangers better right now. dark

Calhoun seems like the perfect Giants chess piece, and perhaps the Rangers could pick up one of their own in return.

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