Inside The Pinstripes

Yankees Invite Ex-Rangers Left Fielder to Spring Training

Willie Calhoun has agreed to a minor league contract with the Yankees and will attend big-league spring training.

Max Goodman

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The Yankees have added another left-handed bat to compete for playing time in the outfield this spring.

Former Rangers left fielder Willie Calhoun has agreed to a non-roster contract with New York, according to MLB insider Mark Feinsand. The deal includes an invitation to spring training, a chance for Calhoun—a former top prospect with the Rangers—to make an impression and turn his career around. 

Calhoun has been on a steep decline over the last few years, eventually resulting in the end of his six-year tenure with Texas. The former fourth-round pick slashed .269/.323/.524 with 21 homers and 110 wRC+ across 83 games with the Rangers in 2019. Since then, the 28-year-old has a .221 batting average, .621 OPS and 59 strikeouts in 126 games. 

This year, he was designated for assignment in June, traded to the Giants in exchange for outfielder Steven Duggar. He ended up appearing in just four MLB games with San Francisco shortly before the end of the regular season, electing free agency in October. 

The offensive numbers are a major red flag here, but let's focus on the positives first. Calhoun has potential in pinstripes with his pull-side power. He wouldn't be the first lefty to boost his numbers with a chance to play at Yankee Stadium. If he can find a way to recapture his form from 2019, improving across the board, then that would be even better. 

Otherwise, this is a case of the Yankees taking a flyer on a struggling slugger at a position of need. New York has been searching for a left-handed hitting left fielder all offseason, considering all possibilities while the best free agents have signed with other teams. Barring a trade (which is still very much in play) or another signing from the remaining outfielders on the open market, New York will proceed with in-house outfielders Aaron Hicks, Oswaldo Cabrera and Estevan Florial.

It would take quite a reversal from Calhoun for him to play his way into consideration with that group. Not only does he carry a concerning track record on offense, but his defense has been a liability (minus-14 Defensive Runs Saved in left field in his MLB career) and he lacks speed (zero stolen bases).

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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