Dodgers: Should The Dodgers Keep Verdugo Over Calhoun?

The July 31st trade deadline is approaching and is now less than two weeks away. Naturally, there have been some rumors involving two of the Dodgers best position player prospects, Alex Verdugo and Willie Calhoun.

Verdugo has reportedly been asked for in trade talks with the Padres and Calhoun has a potent bat that is likely to draw interest from teams who want to trade with the Dodgers. The problem is the Dodgers would like to fill their needs and given the team’s tremendous depth; there might not be room for both in Los Angeles in the near future.

If Adrian Gonzalez were to return, the Dodgers would play Bellinger in left field, with Adrian manning first base. That would leave Taylor without a starting spot. Even if Gonzalez never returns, Chris Taylor has proven to be a big asset to LA in left field, and nobody is supplanting Bellinger at first base. The Dodgers are not going to bring Calhoun and Verdugo up to be a backup, so there is likely no room for both of them barring something unforeseen like an injury or trade.

If the Dodgers intend on acquiring Zach Britton, Brad Hand, or another top tier arm, they will likely have to part with one of Calhoun or Verdugo, and they would be better off dealing Willie Calhoun.

While both are very talented, Alex Verdugo is the better overall player. Calhoun’s power makes him an exciting prospect, but there are concerns about his position. While he plays second base most of the time, Calhoun is known as a bad defensive player as evidenced by his 18 errors in 2015 and 21 errors in 2016.

Calhoun would be better off with an American League team so he can be a designated hitter. Verdugo is a stellar defensive player who is capable of playing any outfield position, but he is a plus fielder in center field which is where he has the greatest value. Here is an example where you can see Verdugo gunning down two runners with his cannon of an arm, Yasiel Puig style. Barring a significant regression, the Dodgers could play Chris Taylor at second base next season with Verdugo in left field if Gonzalez never recovers from his back issues.

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Another tool Verdugo brings to the table that Calhoun does not is above average speed. Verdugo has stolen as many as 14 bases in a minor league season where Calhoun only has five career stolen bases. Verdugo is also better at getting on base and currently has an on-base percentage over .400 this season at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

While Verdugo does lack the power that Calhoun has, he figures to develop more power as he gets older but did hit 13 home runs at Double-A Tulsa last year.

Willie Calhoun is also about two years older than Alex Verdugo.  Calhoun will be 23 later this year, and Verdugo barely turned 21 in May.  Verdugo has the makings of a true five tool player where Calhoun’s ceiling is a power hitter that doesn’t play good defense.

The best case scenario for Calhoun would be a Daniel Murphy style second baseman, but he would need to improve on defense. Verdugo’s ceiling is a multi-talented center fielder like Ender Inciarte. While both are best case scenarios, Verdugo has the best chance of reaching his ceiling.

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While there is always some fear in dealing away talented prospects, the Dodgers should feel less worried if they move Calhoun to an American League team. There he can DH if he doesn’t stick at second base. On the Dodgers, Calhoun would have little value unless he was able to stick at second base permanently.

Even then the Dodgers have an option on Forsythe for next season and if he isn’t brought back, Chris Taylor can play second base and be a very good player there.  For Verdugo, he may be blocked next season if Gonzalez can play every day, but once Bellinger moves to first base permanently, the Dodgers will need another outfielder.  While both are extremely talented, the Dodgers are better off holding onto Alex Verdugo than Willie Calhoun.