D-Backs sign Calhoun to 2-year contract reportedly worth $16M
Kole Calhoun is heading home.
The free-agent outfielder and former Arizona State star has agreed to a two-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the club announced Monday.
The deal is worth $16 million and also contains a $9-million club option for 2022 with a $2-million buyout, Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports.
Kole Calhoun will make $6M in 2020, $8M in 2021. The deal includes a $9M club option for 2022 with a $2M buyout. That's a two-year, $16 million guarantee from the Diamondbacks.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) December 24, 2019
Calhoun, a native of Buckeye, Arizona, spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Angels, who drafted him in 2010. Known in large part for his stellar defense in right field, he won a Gold Glove at the position in 2015. Calhoun's 39 career total zone runs as a right fielder rank seventh among active players at the position.
The 32-year-old put together a solid year for the Angels at the plate, slashing a career-best .232/.325/.467 with 33 homers, 74 RBIs, and 70 walks over 152 games. His defense declined slightly by at least one metric (minus-1 defensive runs saved) in 2019, although he did post a positive 5.1 ultimate zone rating in 1,298 2/3 innings in right field. The Angels declined his $14-million option at season's end.
In Arizona, Calhoun will presumably slot in as the team's right fielder, fortifying a solid defensive trio that also includes MVP candidate Ketel Marte (six defensive runs saved in center) and Gold Glove-winning left fielder David Peralta. Calhoun will also be counted on to improve the team's offensive fortunes against right-handed pitching, something he excelled at last year.
#Diamondbacks were in bottom 10 in OPS and HRs v. RHP last year. Calhoun had 23 HRs and an .816 OPS vs. RHs in 2019.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 24, 2019
For his career, Calhoun is a .249/.322/.424 hitter (105 OPS+) with 884 hits, 167 doubles, 140 home runs, 451 RBIs, and 367 walks to 862 strikeouts in 966 big-league contests. His 15.6 WAR was the second-highest total among Angels outfielders over the last eight seasons, trailing only Mike Trout.
Before joining the D-Backs, Calhoun was also reportedly being pursued by the Miami Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, and Toronto Blue Jays.