Los Angeles Angels sign OF Kole Calhoun to 3-year extension
Outfielder Kole Calhoun agreed to terms on a contract extension with the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday afternoon, signifying the team might not be ready for a complete rebuild.
The MLB Hot Stove season isn’t over just yet, as the Los Angeles Angels made a significant move by signing outfielder Kole Calhoun to a three-year, $26 million contract extension with a club option worth $14 million for 2020, according to Chris Cotillo of SB Nation.
Kole Calhoun receives $26M guarantee over three years with Angels with option valued at $14M, sources tell SBN.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 18, 2017
Calhoun avoided arbitration with the Angels last week by agreeing to a one-year, $6.35 million deal, and would have been eligible for free agency following the 2017 season. The extension comes as a bit of a surprise, as Calhoun arguably would have been the best free outfielder available next offseason and likely could have received a richer free agent contract.
Los Angeles should be thrilled with the terms of the deal, as Calhoun as been the team’s best player other Mike Trout since taking over an everyday role in 2014. The 29-year-old has a career 115 wRC+ with 12.4 WAR over 2,142 lifetime plate appearances, and is coming off a personal-best 4.0 WAR campaign in 2016.
Calhoun’s name popped up in trade rumors last summer, as the Angels weighed blowing things up in an effort to rebuild the worst farm system in the league. Signing Calhoun to a contract extension shows Los Angeles is going to try to surround Trout with enough talent to make a postseason run until both are eligible for free agency following the 2020 season.
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The Angels improved somewhat this offseason, but still might not have enough to win a competitive AL West division. At the very least, Calhoun will have increased trade value with extra years on his contract should Los Angeles eventually do a complete teardown in 2018 or beyond.