Dodgers News: Willie Calhoun Says He Has “A Lot of Work to Do”
Willie Calhoun is pegged the second baseman of the future in the Dodgers organization, but rumors of a major trade have muddied those waters. The Orange County Register’s Bill Plunkett interviewed Calhoun about the challenges facing his journey to the MLB.
Calhoun is coming off a campaign in which he earned a spot in the All-Star Futures Game and an MVP in the Arizona Fall League’s Fall Stars Game, as Plunkett notes. After completing his first full year in Double-A, Calhoun said he is aware of his weaknesses; specifically, his defensive deficiencies.
“I see it a lot,” Calhoun told Plunkett. “I know I still have a lot of work to do and that’s something I’m still attacking this offseason … It’s motivating. I’ve always had to overcome something in my part of the game since I was a senior in high school. I’ve always been told I’m too small and everything. Just being able to overcome those types of things is something that I’m going to have to keep on doing.”
Awesome time working with @Nomar5 @asop_12 and @11WillieCalhoun at the @Dodgers Youth Series Camp! pic.twitter.com/OqVCCq0fDn
— Trevor Oaks (@trevoaks) December 15, 2016
Dodgers General Manager Farhan Zaidi admitted Calhoun would be better served with more seasoning, though he did say the Major League team has found roles for youngsters, and they are “excited” about Calhoun’s progress. He said we’ll see how things play out in spring training.
https://twitter.com/11WillieCalhoun/status/809568030770413571
Even if Calhoun was ready, he presents another problem: left-handed batting. The Dodgers’ hole at second is a perfect means to bring in a righty, putting Calhoun at a disadvantage already.
Zaidi previously mentioned internal candidates for second, but the Brian Dozier rumors are getting louder. Dozier wouldn’t necessarily spell an end for the 22-year-old in L.A. His contract expires in two seasons and/or Calhoun could be shifted to the outfield.
More from Plunkett on Calhoun can be read here.
I really like Calhoun. I like his attitude and seems like the kid has a good work ethic. But you are right in citing that even if his bat proves ready, and he works on his defense enough to stick at 2B, it presents us with the problem of having this potential future lineup in two year, barring any trades: Puig, Seager, Turner, Bellinger, Calhoun, Grandal, Pederson, Verdugo, Toles/Thompson. Our major minor league pieces that are righties right now are Diaz, Heredia, Mieses, DJ Peters, Thomas, and Ruiz (switch-hitter).
Solution to me? Trade Kazmir (+cash), Stewart, Calhoun, and Sheffield to Twins for Dozier. Then, trade Puig, McCarthy, Verdugo, Sborz, and Rios to Brewers for Braun. If the Brewers would rather Oaks over Sborz to get it done, fine do that, but I’d like to keep Oaks ready and waiting. That would make our rotation: Kersh, Hill, Maeda, Urias, JDL. And our lineup: Toles/Thompson, Seager, Turner, Braun, Dozier, Gonzo, Grandal, Pederson. We’d keep 3 of our top five pitching prospects (Alvarez, Buehler, Oaks) and keep all our major minor league right handed prospects (i.e. Diaz, Heredia, Mieses, Peters, Thomas) and our Gonzo heir, Bellinger. Whether the Twins and Brewers would go for moves like this is another thing entirely.