The New York Yankees have recently made a move in the hopes of shoring up their outfield, signing Kole Calhoun to a minor-league deal. This comes as two key players, Harrison Bader and Giancarlo Stanton, remain out with injuries.
Calhoun, who played for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season, has a solid track record in the majors. He has a career batting average of .246 with 140 home runs and 526 RBIs. He can play all three outfield positions, making him a valuable tool for the Yankees as they navigate through their current injury woes.
Bader, who has been out with a right forearm strain, is expected to miss at least a few more weeks. Stanton, on the other hand, has been sidelined with a left quad strain since late May, and there is no timetable for his return yet. With two key players out of commission, the Yankees are leaning on their depth to keep them competitive.
Calhoun, who will turn 34 in October, is a veteran presence who can help fill the void left by Bader and Stanton. He has experience playing in big games, having made the playoffs with the Diamondbacks in 2017 and 2020.
The Yankees are hoping that Calhoun can help provide some much-needed offense. The team’s current struggles at the plate have been well-documented, with the team ranking 24th in the majors in runs scored. Calhoun’s career OPS of .745 suggests that he could provide a boost to the lineup if he performs up to his potential.
Of course, signing Calhoun to a minor-league deal does not guarantee that he will make an impact at the major-league level. He will need to show that he is still capable of producing at an elite level, especially given his age and recent injury history. However, if he can perform even close to his career averages, he could prove to be an important addition for the Yankees.
Overall, signing Calhoun is a low-risk move for the Yankees, given that it is just a minor-league deal. However, if he can help the team in any way, it could be a major win for the Yankees as they look to stay competitive in a tough American League East division.
