Former Longtime Angels Outfielder Released by AL Contender, Could Halos Bring Him Back?
The New York Yankees made a roster move on Saturday morning, one that would normally go under the radar, but this one could lead to a potential reunion for Los Angeles Angels fans.
According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Yankees organization officially released Kole Calhoun Saturday after the veteran exercised an opt-out clause in his contract late last week.
Calhoun, who played for the Angels from 2012 to 2019, found his form again for Yankees Triple-A affiliate Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, slashing .281/.391/.528 with four HRs and 18 RBI over 23 games, but there simply wasn't a roster spot available for him in the Bronx.
With that said, that opens up the chance for a potential return to southern California for the newly minted free agent.
Calhoun had a more than respectable tenure with the Angels and carved out a spot for himself as a solid right fielder with some pop in his bat, hitting 140 home runs for the Angels over parts of eight seasons, including a career high 33 in 2019.
The Angels have not been linked to Calhoun as of this writing, but given that he turned his bat around in the minors and was simply the odd man out in New York, it would make sense if the Halos took a flier on the former Halo.
As opposed to the Yankees, there would be room for Calhoun on the Angels, and he could probably fill in nicely as a depth piece in right field or as a potential DH at times on the days when that role wouldn't be filled by Shohei Ohtani.
The Angels could always use an extra bat in the lineup as they try to dig out of a hole in the AL West.
They currently sit in fourth, but are only 7.5 games behind the division leading Texas Rangers as of early Saturday.
