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.
Pillar, 36 in January, started last season with the White Sox. He hit just .160/.290/.360 in 17 games with that club and was back on the open market before the end of April. He latched on with the Angels and it was during his time with that club that he indicated retirement was likely over the horizon.
He 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. “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.”
He adds that, after some time to reflect, he is “pretty sure” that he still wants to play. He doesn’t know if any club will offer him a spot, but he plans to stay in shape and will answer the phone if someone calls. Pillar spent about two weeks on the injured list in September due to a left thumb sprain. In the clip, he mentions that he underwent surgery at the end of the season, though he gave no indication that the procedure is impacting his offseason preparations.
At his peak, Pillar was a solid everyday player, overcoming subpar offense with his strong glovework and baserunning. From 2015 to 2021, he got into 940 games for various clubs, hitting .261/.298/.412 for a wRC+ of 88. But he stole 91 bases in that stretch and was graded as an above-average center fielder, allowing him to produce 10 wins above replacement over those six full seasons plus the shortened 2020 campaign.
Since then, he’s been more of a role player. He can still play center field a little bit, though only sporadically and with grades closer to league average. He hit .225/.271/.387 in 185 games over the past three years for a wRC+ of 79, swiping another 16 bags.
Pillar has hit lefties better in his career, with a 106 wRC+ with the platoon advantage and a 78 without. That continued to be the case in 2024, with a 139 wRC+ against southpaws and a 54 mark otherwise. For any club looking for a right-handed hitting bench outfielder who can play competent defense and run the bases, Pillar is available and surely won’t cost much, after getting a $3MM guarantee from the White Sox in 2024.
Teams like the Red Sox, Orioles, Diamondbacks, Phillies, Tigers and others could be looking for right-handed bats to supplement their respective outfields. Pillar will join players like Teoscar Hernández, Tyler O’Neill, Randal Grichuk, Ramón Laureano, Austin Hays, Tommy Pham and others as righty-swinging outfielders that will be under consideration.
I mean might as well if some team will pay to have you as a vet/backup.
Code – I think his wife just may want him out of the house so she can have some alone time again for ya know, hobbies like learning Jiu-Jitsu.
I feel like this article semi disrespected his solid tenure with the jays
Big – He had by far his best performance (min 100 PA’s) with the Red Sox.
But if he is the righthanded bat they are seeking, the backlash would be fierce.
Could be a dirt cheap DH platoon complement to Joc, can play across the outfield.
He really doesn’t want his teams he suited up for being the 2024 White Sox and Angels.
Not true. His time with the Angels is what made him decide he wanted to play another year. I think he really wanted to stay with the team, but there’s no room.
Hope springs eternal. I’d come back and play too.
Translation: his agent must be getting calls for guaranteed deals instead of minor league contracts
He needs around 100 days on a MLB roster so he can get a full pension.
Yup, therein lies the 2% and mybe he can still profile as a 4th OF for a decent team or a 5th for a playoff team…
If that’s the case and that’s why he wants to return, he ought to be willing to sign for free (or MLB minimum). That would be a solid deal for someone.
My bet is that his agent has gotten a few inquiries from playoff caliber teams to join on an mlb contract as a 4th / 5th OF..
He sure fits the Phillies’ profile for that job.
Then again so did Whit Merrifield, so what the hell do I know…? Yes I shook my head at the $, but loved the signing of Whit.
As much as I like him in Boston, he’s a luxury with Ref already there. The righty OF bat the team needs is a bopper to replace O’Neil.
It makes obvious sense for the Red Sox to bring back O’neil. His right bat plays perfectly with the abundance of Lefthanded batters on their team. Basing my opinion on his performance this past season with his injury history, the Red Six should be clamoring to resign him. He is is still relatively young and is entering his prime years. Are the Sox hesitatant to sign him because he misses too much time to injury? Was he a bad clubhouse guy in Boston or are they trying to budget every remaining dollar in their efforts to win the Soto Sweepstakes? Great to have Soto, but at what cost? I give the Sox credit for moving the needle upwards to get the Yankees and the Blue Jays to blow up their budgets.
He reached 10 seasons of service time midway through last season – baseball reference updates them in the new calendar year. Nonetheless would love to see him return to the jays
@Joeypower: Pillar hit 10 years of service time this past July 6. MLB.com wrote an article about it:
mlb.com/news/kevin-pillar-reaches-10-years-of-mlb-…
2025 Cardinals written all over him.
Yeah right handed hitting center fielder is certainly a need.
Wonder if DD has inquired?
He is an excellent defender and a hard worker, and he won’t cost an arm and a leg. Pillar is one of those useful veterans who can boost a payroll-conscious mid or small-market team.
Pillar could have done far worse than a .650 OPS in Chicago given the sorry state of the White Sox lineup. I expect he’ll be a productive 4th outfielder for one more season, even if he’s only holding out for the pension.
@dankyank. He already got his pension. He just wants a major league contract.
His offense wasn’t terrible with the Angels. It just got to the point where they were playing him too much.
@el kabong. Yeah he’s just a 4th outfielder with defense, about the same as Bader or kiermaier, and alot cheaper.
As I recall, he batted in the middle of the order (I think even cleanup) a few times for the Angels. That’s improper use of a guy like Pillar. But if used correctly, he can help a team in ways that don’t appear in the box score.
He needs to retire.
All his metrics point to being cooked.
He’s above replacement level. And as long as he’s above replacement level and willing to play for cheap he deserves a spot.
It’s similar to the point you made a few weeks ago in our discussion about coaching and leadership. You prefer older coaches/managers, which is fine. But having “cheap” veterans like Pillar can be beneficial to young players. It can also get these veterans moving toward their next logical move if they desire to stay in the game after their playing days, which is coaching. A guy like Pillar, who works hard despite playing twice a week, can positively impact younger players.
That’s why relying on metrics alone is hurting the sport. Some things can’t be truly measured by metrics.
Especially in an everyday sport like baseball. There’s something to be said for having veterans who have been through wars.
If only more players would emulate Ralph Kiner, a great hitter, who walked away after ten yesrs at age 32 while still a productive hitter. These guys who hang on too long and just wont go away annoy me. Oh , kiner served in world war two before starting his career in Pittsburg. And of course called games for the mets. What a great guy. These stragglers could learn from him.sure he duffered a back injury but rather than hanging on, he called it quits.
A significant difference is that baseball players got paid like crap when Kiner played. After a massive season with the cellar-dwelling Pirates, Ralph was famously refused a raise. Ownership: “We finished last with you and can finish last without you.” Kiner told that story often in his broadcasting days.
The money being paid today is not the same (obviously). As for hanging on past one’s prime, it’s no different than what many “normal” American workers do. They are no longer as good at their jobs, yet they hang on as long as someone will keep paying them. We all know of such people. In many cases, we have been them.
Yeah i remember as a high schooler we had these teachers that earned their tenure. Good gosh they were terrible. They didn’t even try they just kept cashing checks.
He’s still good enough got a roster spot even if it’s a bench spot.
I saw the same thing at my job: get promoted and do less work. If you get enough promotions, you get paid handsomely for doing hardly any work at all. It’s what we all aspire to.
With teachers many of them burn out quickly. Say, after seven years. At least with baseball players, the salary level for players past their prime changes. A few years ago, there was talk about how these players were squeezed out of the market. Now, they take less money to keep playing. The key for teams is to find the right player at the right dollar amount. Keekay Hernandez played for $4M last year. It proved to be a savvy move for the Dodgers. And though Keekay wasn’t happy about it, $4M is still $4M.
In a way, that’s what happens with senior citizens at some point. If we want to keep working, we take a lesser-paying job that we can better handle.
Braves
I have mentioned this before, but if I were a MLB player, you’d have to drag my rotting, negative WAR carcass off the field before I quit. You’re done at 35-40 if you actually have a good career and live to be 80+. That is a looong time retired. I love guys like this; keep going Kevin, I’m with you!
Yeah not to mention even the league minimum salary for 1 season is like hitting the lottery for a normal person. Might as well keep it going.
I hope he gets what he wants. In a family trip to Toronto my very young son picked up a Kevin Pillar jersey and I’ve since had an eye on him as he finished with the Jays and moved through last year’s stumbles. He was a glimmer on an otherwise blemished Angels roster last year. You have to admire his hustle and assume there’s some leadership. He’s an inexpensive improvement for any team who isn’t already backlogged with outfielders.
El, agreed. But it’s not all about OLD age. Today was a perfect example where I work. Of 10 of us, the three youngest called in sick and all the old guys showed up for work. Maybe I can’t carry the same load as I used to but at least I show up for work everyday and carry my load
You said “load”.
I must be tired. I read the headline as Kevin Millar. G’nite
Ready to cowboy up, Gwynning?!
I’m too surfer too even know what that means! Happy Holidaze Acoss buddy!
I mean the way MLB salaries are increasing at a pace unlike the massive majority of other occupations; why the hell not?
White Sox RH platoon outfield.