Willie Calhoun trade to SF Giants a win-win for him and the Texas Rangers

It’s the end of an era in Arlington, as the Texas Rangers announced Thursday that they traded OF/DH Willie Calhoun and cash considerations to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for OF Steven Duggar. 

To say things didn’t go as planned with Calhoun and the Rangers would be severely understating what transpired between the two sides. Once a high-ceiling prospect brimming with potential, the 27-year-old was considered to be the “prize” of the 2017 Yu Darvish swap with the LA Dodgers. So much for that!

All is not lost, though, as Texas still has pitcher A.J. Alexy, also acquired in the Darvish deal, in the minors. And they picked up a serviceable player in his own right, Steven Duggar, as the return for Calhoun, now donning black and orange.

Texas Rangers close the book on the Yu Darvish trade by trading Willie Calhoun to the SF Giants

Injuries marred Calhoun’s chances of ever succeeding in Texas, as he was never able to replicate a solid 2019 campaign in which he slugged 21 homers along with an .847 OPS. Even if he ends up thriving with the Giants (quite possible!), just know that it wasn’t going to pan out for the Bay Area native as a member of the Rangers.

The breakup benefits both Calhoun and the Texas Rangers, as the former gets his change of scenery and can now have a homecoming of sorts, while the latter can use Duggar as a fourth outfielder, akin to Eli White’s role before he went down with injury. Duggar was hitting just .194 prior to straining his oblique, but he’s not expected to be a starting outfielder.

If you’re underwhelmed by Duggar (and I don’t blame you there), consider that getting something of value for Calhoun, who was previously disgruntled, is actually a win for the Rangers, as opposed to simply caving in and granting him his release for nothing in return.

The book is now closed on the Yu Darvish trade, with it not being very successful for the Texas Rangers. But that chapter is behind us, while a new one has opened.