Former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar stated at the end of the season that he was likely going to retire but it looks like things have changed.
At the end of the 2024 season, Pillar stated that he was 98% sure he was going to retire but did state that he would take the off-season to truly think about before making a final decision.
Former Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar states he does not want to retire after all
Pillar was on the MLB Network's Hot Stove yesterday and was asked about his future plans stating that he is hoping to play another year and also mentioned that he had thumb surgery at the end of the season.
Outfielder Kevin Pillar previously said he was «98% sure» that he was going to retire after 2024, but it seems like he would like to squeeze through that little 2% window he left open for himself. On an appearance on MLB Network's Hot Stove (video link from X), Pillar said he is now hoping to give it another go next year. He also revealed that he had thumb surgery at the end of the 2024 season. -McDonald
The Former Jays outfielder stated that his season with the Angels brought his love for the game back which is why he has decided to return because he was just playing for the love of the game.
«For the first time in probably forever, I was just playing for the love of the game, the joy of the game,» Pillar said of his time with the Angels. «I wasn't worried about tomorrow, the next day, my future. And I found a lot of success in that.»
When the Angels decided to sign Pillar to replace Mike Trout, many did not expect much from him but he ended up showing that he still had some game left in him with 7 homeruns, a .236 batting average in .291 on base percentage.
e went on to hit seven home runs in 282 plate appearances for the Halos and produce a batting line of .236/.291/.378. Perhaps more important than the statistics was that Pillar's mentality changed, according to the man himself. -McDonald
Now that he wants to return, it will be interesting to see if he gets a major league offer.