Texas Rangers release former Toronto Blue Jays centerfielder Kevin Pillar
Photo credit: https://www.mlb.com
This may be it for former Toronto Blue Jays centerfielder Kevin Pillar. The Texas Rangers announced that Pillar has been released after clearing waivers.
The announcement came last week and there has been nothing but radio silence from Pillars camp since.
So it isn't out of the question that Pillar may consider hanging up his cleats for good, as the 36-year-old strongly considered retiring last season before deciding to return for the 2025 campaign.
Pillar has now played for 10 different teams over the course of his 1234 career games and 13 seasons in the big leagues.
One of the game's top defensive center fielders back during his heyday with the Blue Jays, Pillar has carved out a lengthy career as a part-time or fourth outfielder, despite a lack of production at the plate (i.e. a .255/.293/.405 career slash line).
Kevin Pillar has made a name for himself as a master defender during a successful 12-year MLB career. Drafted by the Blue Jays in 2011, he has a Wilson Defensive Player of the Year and a Fielding Bible Award, and he ranks in the top three in outfield putouts since 2015. Congratulations, Kevin Pillar, on reaching 10 Years of Service Time!
Pillar signed a minor league contract with the Rangers this past winter, and some injuries to other outfielders opened the door for Pillar to make the Opening Day roster.
Playing mostly in center field with some addition time in both corner outfield slots, Pillar's contributions have been almost entirely on the defensive side, as he has batted only .209/.209/.265 over 43 plate appearances.
He also missed a little over two weeks of action due to a bad back that required a stint on the 10-day IL.
Injuries have plagued Pillar in the last few years so if he does call it a career he should be very proud of his durability over the years. It still amazes me that he never won a gold glove in his career.
The reason for going gold gloveless is because Pillar played in the American League in the same era as Kevin Kiermaier and Jackie Bradley Jr, who seemed to win it every year between them.
There is no shortage of Kevin Pillar highlights as a Blue Jay though, from diving catches, to robbing home runs, to stealing home plate, Pillar affectionately known to Blue Jays fans as 'Superman' will be missed.
Do you think this is it for Kevin Pillar should he call it a career?
Tell us what you think in the poll below.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 2 | 175 ANSWERS Texas Rangers release former Toronto Blue Jays centerfielder Kevin Pillar Do you think this is it for Kevin Pillar should he call it a career? | ||
| Yes | 132 | 75.4 % |
| No | 14 | 8 % |
| Too early to tell | 29 | 16.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
