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

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.

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.