The Toronto Blue Jays could look at potentially bringing back beloved centerfielder Kevin Pillar
Photo credit: Bleacher Report
The Toronto Blue Jays are looking at all possible options to improve their roster for the 2025 season including possibly bringing back centerfielder Kevin Pillar if he does not retire.
The Blue Jays are currently searching for help in the outfield this off-season as they have been linked to many outfielders as they still have a few holes there headed into next season.
The Blue Jays might look into sign former centerfielder Kevin Pillar
Pillar surprised many when he was signed by the Los Angeles Angels this year to replace Mike Trout and proved to still have some baseball left in him most defensively but was decent at the plate with a .229 batting average, 8 homeruns and 45RBIs in 100 games.
In 2024, Pillar split his time between the White Sox and Angels in which he batted a lowly .229 with a .667 OPS, along with 38 runs scored, 16 doubles, eight home runs, 45 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 100 games played. -Eng
While fans would love to see Pillar back in Toronto, in terms of actually helping the team, this might not be the best move since he is far from the player he once was and the team will struggle in the outfield if he is an everyday starterr.
If the Jays recruit him as a starter, his defensive decline in recent years, along with his offensive numbers mirroring that of Kevin Kiermaier's, does not provide an upgrade to what they currently have already. If they intend to bring him back as a reserve player, that spot may be better served by someone with greater upside such as Joey Loperfido, Jonatan Clase, Alan Roden or even Davis Schneider. -Eng
All of this might not even be a possibility if Pillar ends up retiring since he spoke of how he will take the proper time to decide this off-season if he wants to return next season or if he will call it a career.
More importantly, Pillar also gave himself a timeline this offseason to potentially retire if he doesn't secure a job as a player within a specific time frame. -Eng
Seeing Pillar back in Toronto would be incredible but unfortunately will not help the team out for next season.
Source: Jays Journal
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