11-Year Veteran Outfielder Testing Free Agency; Opts Out Of Deal With Yankees

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11-year veteran outfielder Kole Calhoun has exercised his opt-out clause in his minor league deal with the New York Yankees, giving the team a 72-hour window to add him to their MLB roster or release him.

Calhoun, a seasoned player known for his time with the Los Angeles Angels, has showcased impressive performance in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He has posted a batting line of .293/.402/.561 with four home runs, six doubles, and two triples in 97 plate appearances.

Source: OF Kole Calhoun exercising June 1 opt-out with Yankees and will become free agent unless Yankees add him to MLB roster within 72 hours. Calhoun implemented a swing change and has a .963 OPS at Triple-A, so he’s likely to draw interest from other clubs. @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) June 1, 2023

The struggling Yankees outfield, which currently ranks 23rd in MLB, could greatly benefit from Calhoun's consistent production and strong defensive skills.

With limited productivity from various players and recent demotions of Cordero and Cabrera to Triple-A, the team may consider bringing Calhoun up to bolster their outfield performance.

Kole Calhoun gets us started 👏#EverythingMajor #RepBX pic.twitter.com/ZzZPxlAZUG

— SWB RailRiders (@swbrailriders) May 31, 2023

Despite his age of 35, Calhoun's recent changes to his swing have resulted in notable improvements, making him an attractive option for other teams if he becomes a free agent once again.

The Yankees now face a crucial decision in the next 72 hours that could determine Calhoun's future with the organization. Adding him to the MLB roster would provide a potential solution to their outfield struggles, while releasing him would open the door for him to explore opportunities with other teams. Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports