Texas Rangers outfielder Willie CalhounAfter being demoted to minors, a once highly respected prospect has asked for his trade.
Calhoun made public acknowledgment of his trade request Sunday an interview with The Athletic“I don’t know if it will be another game in a Rangers uniform. And I let them know.”
Calhoun was optioned for Triple-A Round Rock following Sunday’s win against the Atlanta BravesAs part of their effort to reduce their roster to 26 players, the Rangers have made this offer.
The Athletic was told by Chris Young, Rangers general manager, that the organization is looking to get Willie moving. But Calhoun stated that he views the demotion as an opportunity for him to “put himself in a position” to be traded. I want to trade.”
Calhoun, who had to battle injuries early in his career has struggled to keep a steady role with the Rangers the past two seasons. Calhoun batted.250 in 2021 with six home runs in 220 at-bats. He has had a slow start to the season, hitting just.136 (6-for-44) and one homer in 18 contests.
Calhoun said that he knows he can hit.300. Calhoun said that it would be in a different uniform. … “I don’t know if it’s possible to play another game wearing a Rangers uniform. I told them.”
Calhoun (27 years old) was the Rangers’ central prospect. Yu DarvishTo the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Calhoun, widely regarded as an overall top-50 prospect, batted.300 with 31 minor league homers and showed signs of promise in 2019 with the Rangers — his best season with the majors — hitting.269 with 21 homers over just 83 games.
His inconsistency playing time has been impacted by injuries, Texas’ overcrowded outfield, and Calhoun’s offensive struggles since the end of the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.
He told The Athletic that he has been longing to get out of the house for the past year, year and half. “I feel like I’m in need of a change of scenery.”
Calhoun also spoke out against the Rangers’ “hitting philosophies”, describing himself as a line-drive hitter “who can’t hit popup runs”. That leverage doesn’t exist for me.”
Chris Woodward, Rangers manager, told The Athletic that Calhoun’s swing has “gone backwards” recently and that the team has “asked” him to be more vertical in his swing. However, he also stated that he doesn’t see the demotion as a long-term solution.
“This is what Willie and the team feel is best. … Woodward stated that Willie has to make some changes, although I wouldn’t say a major one. “But he needs to understand how that works best for his situation.” We hope he will accept the plan that we have for him and go down. He’ll then get consistent at-bats.