MLBbro Willie Calhoun Ends Era In Texas With Trade To The San Francisco Giants

The Willie Calhoun era in a Texas Rangers uniform is officially over as he was traded this week
to the San Francisco Giants for Steven Duggar, an outfielder who was connected in the Yu
Darvish deal back in 2017.

 

 

This was as close to an amicable parting as our MLBbro could receive after asking for a trade
once he was optioned to the minors at the start of May. The Rangers obliged by sending him to
San Francisco where he can get an opportunity with a team that still believes he can contribute.
Texas designated him for assignment on June 5th, but Calhoun cleared waivers that allowed
him to remain a part of the organization when the trade happened.

 

 

“We wish Willie the best in his opportunity with San Francisco,” Rangers president Jon Daniels
said. “It’s a fresh start for him, as well as being close to home.”

 

While the fact that our MLBbro will be going home in sorts based on the fact that he was born in
the East Bay city of Vallejo California and attended Benicia High School is a nice story, the
reality of the situation is the San Francisco front office has history with Willie Calhoun.

 

Giants executives Farhan Zaidi and Gabe Kapler were with the Los Angeles Dodgers
organization when Willie was drafted in the fourth round seven years ago. Back then Zaidi was
the general manager while Kapler was the director of player development.

 

Kapler discussed our MLBbro this week after the trade went down via NBC Sports.

 

“I’m personally excited about it. I really like Willie, I think he can really swing the bat,” Kapler told
reporters in Atlanta after a 7-6 loss. “ He can really make contact with pitches anywhere in the
zone and has a history of hitting a lot of line drives to the pull side. I’ve known him for a really
long time, I know what his strengths are, and I’m excited that he’s a Giant.”

 

In Calhoun’s tenure with the Rangers that spanned 253 games, he hit .241 overall but bottomed
out this season with a .136 average with only one homer and two RBI in 18 games this season.

 

No matter if the change of scenery is welcomed or not, Calhoun has to find consistency to stick
with the Giants and that starts with his ability to stay healthy. His list of injuries along the
COVID-19 pandemic has really slowed his progress the last few seasons. This horrible injury in
spring training being hit by a Julio Urias fastball along with a forearm injury that needed surgery
affected his confidence at the plate.

 

 

MLBbro.com covered Willie Calhoun’s adjustments earlier this season with a helmet change called a C-flap to help him feel better about crowding the plate and putting the ball in play,
particularly against left-handed pitching.

 

With the Giants set on the main roster healthwise, Calhoun will report to the Triple-A affiliate in
Sacramento where he can get an opportunity to make the main roster later on this season.