Headlines

  • Nationals Place Stephen Strasburg On Injured List, Select Paolo Espino
  • Jay Bruce Announces Retirement
  • Cody Bellinger Has Hairline Fracture In Left Leg
  • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings
  • MLB To Experiment With New DH Rule, Mound Distance During 2021 Atlantic League Season
  • Astros, Martin Maldonado Finalizing One-Year Extension
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Kevin Pillar Expected To Miss 4-6 Weeks

By Connor Byrne | July 15, 2018 at 10:56am CDT

The Blue Jays announced that they’ve placed center fielder Kevin Pillar on the 10-day disabled list with a right sternoclavicular joint sprain. They also sent infielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to the seven-day concussion DL and activated a pair of pitchers – righty Ryan Tepera and lefty Jaime Garcia.

Pillar, the most prominent of the quartet, is expected to miss four to six weeks, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com tweets. The defensive whiz suffered the injury while making a diving catch against Boston on Saturday, and it could have been a lot worse. Blue Jays trainer Nikki Huffman told radio play-by-play man Mike Wilner that Pillar’s injury could have been a life-threatening one had his collarbone pushed in rather than out.

While Pillar nearly put his life on the line to make yet another impressive play Saturday, he surprisingly hasn’t drawn elite reviews from defensive metrics this season. After racking up at least 14 Defensive Runs Saved in center in each of the previous three seasons, he’s at zero in 2018, though Ulimate Zone Rating (2.7) and Outs Above Average (four) have liked his work better.

With Toronto at 43-51 and well out of playoff contention, Pillar’s absence won’t have a great effect on the club in the standings. And though the Blue Jays are in line to sell at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, Pillar’s name hasn’t come up in trade rumors. The 29-year-old, who’s on a $3.25MM salary, still has two arbitration-eligible seasons remaining.

Share 0 Retweet 2 Send via email0

Kevin Pillar Toronto Blue Jays

East News & Rumors: Yanks, Machado, Mets, Wheeler, Phillies, Eflin
Main
Cardinals Fire Mike Matheny
20 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. dimitrios in la

    3 years ago

    I’m an O’s fan, but man what a joy it’s been to watch this guy play the field. Best of luck to him on a speedy recovery!!

    5 Like
    Reply
    • TrimReaper

      3 years ago

      Think about this; Jays front office didn’t think he was a CF back in 2015. They had Anthony Gose and Dalton Pompey ahead of him, and Pillar started in LF in 2015. They were also thinking about cutting Pillar in 2015 spring training until Michael Saunders suffered an injury. The Blue Jays lucked out.

      Like
      Reply
      • osonvs

        3 years ago

        Depends on how you define “lucked out.” While he does put up highlight reel catches he’s not exactly an ideal center fielder for me. He doesn’t have a great first step and doesn’t take the greatest routes. He’s not “speedy.” But what he lacks in those areas he makes up for in great athleticism. His bat isn’t exactly something to write home about either. He’s basically an upgraded Ryan Goins in the outfield which, by definition, is definitely replaceable.

        1 Like
        Reply
        • bradthebluefish

          3 years ago

          That would explain why his Defensive Runs is at zero. Thanks!

          Like
          Reply
        • TrimReaper

          3 years ago

          Lucked out is defined as the organization believing Dalton Pompey, Michael Saunders and Anthony Gose were far and away better options than Pillar. Seeing you didn’t read my comment properly, I thought I’d say it a second time to make sure you know I meant it the first time.

          He’s an 8 or 9 hole hitter on a good team. Jays aren’t good.

          Pillar’s route running is a lot better than you think. He is not speedy, as you pointed out. He makes up for it with routes. A bad route runner with ok speed does not make the catches Pillar makes. Your comment is what is called a contradiction.

          Like
          Reply
  2. radiohead801

    3 years ago

    Every team that’s not the Yanks and Red Sox in the AL East exist only for those two teams to eat them. Whole.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • dimitrios in la

      3 years ago

      Not really. The O’s have pushed them for several years (before their deterioration) and will do so again. As will the others. Tough division—not just because of Yanks and Sox.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • PopeMarley

        3 years ago

        I wouldn’t call the few years under Buck where they were competitive “several years”

        3 Like
        Reply
  3. terrymesmer

    3 years ago

    There goes my #1 trade dream.

    Like
    Reply
  4. sfg415sfc

    3 years ago

    Could have been life threatening…. were he not Superman!

    3 Like
    Reply
  5. southpaw2153

    3 years ago

    Defensive metrics are laughable. One year a player is a top defender and then the next year he’s average to below average? Lol. Don’t like Pillar especially, but I always chuckle at these sabr discrepancies, particularly on defense.

    Like
    Reply
    • kenneth cole

      3 years ago

      Agree 100%. Marcus Semien had a higher dWAR than Didi a few seasons ago around June. Semien leads the league in errors with 16(?) and at the time needed a refresh on how to play SS. What a joke.

      1 Like
      Reply
    • pt57

      3 years ago

      It isn’t all that uncommon for a player to have an off year offensively.

      Wouldn’t the same be true for defensive performance?

      1 Like
      Reply
      • southpaw2153

        3 years ago

        In my experience as a player and observer of baseball, defense is a relatively steady aspect for any player, especially outfielders. When defensive metrics claims Pillar went from a top defender to a horrendous one in a year’s time, it is ridiculous.

        Offensive production is more difficult to replicate year after year due to a variety of reasons. I’ve never played with, nor watched any MLB player, rise and fall defensively the way sabermetrics often claims.

        The only way I see a player decline precipitously on the defensive side of the game is at the end of his career.

        The GM of my favorite team, the Yankees – who are very sabr heavy – doesn’t judge defense based on metrics, as he has stated they have a long way to go in that regard.

        Like
        Reply
    • BravesCanada

      3 years ago

      Pillar does tend to make a ton of horrendous throws though. He quite often cuts a ball off in the gap only to turn and fire it without looking and miss the cutoff man. I’m not sure if that type of thing plays into defensive metrics, but after he started getting attention for his defence, he seems to rush throws a lot more often.

      2 Like
      Reply
  6. jimmertee

    3 years ago

    Pillar is a great center fielder and would be on my team.

    Except for days off, Pillar has been penciled-in in most games as an automatic for the Jays.

    This guy is money.

    Godspeed on healing.

    3 Like
    Reply
    • TrimReaper

      3 years ago

      Big time. He’s come a heck of a long way the last 5 years. I do not care if he doesn’t walk; the dude plays hard, makes plays in CF we haven’t seen since Devon White (sorry Vernon Wells), and he’s overcome obstacle the front office has put in-front of him.

      2 Like
      Reply
      • osonvs

        3 years ago

        If you want your team to be a contender then Pillar should be a very good 4th outfielder for your team. Any higher and you’re not really contending- more like pretending.

        Like
        Reply
  7. bigfatandugly

    3 years ago

    i’m a jays fan and pillars bat will always be a liability in that line up.

    he makes some highlight reel grabs but that’s not enough- this is a hitters game first.

    if he could bring his BA up .20-.30 and be consistent from the lead off that would give him a lot more value.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • TrimReaper

      3 years ago

      He’s a guy that should bat 8 or 9 on a good team. Jays aren’t a good team and Pillar bats higher.

      1 Like
      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Nationals Place Stephen Strasburg On Injured List, Select Paolo Espino

    Jay Bruce Announces Retirement

    Cody Bellinger Has Hairline Fracture In Left Leg

    2021-22 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings

    MLB To Experiment With New DH Rule, Mound Distance During 2021 Atlantic League Season

    Astros, Martin Maldonado Finalizing One-Year Extension

    James Paxton To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery

    2021 Trade Deadline Will Be July 30

    Diamondbacks Sign Josh Reddick To Minor League Deal

    Jonathan Hernandez Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

    Recent

    Nationals Place Stephen Strasburg On Injured List, Select Paolo Espino

    Diamondbacks Designate Anthony Swarzak For Assignment

    Jay Bruce Announces Retirement

    COVID Notes: 4/18/21

    Latest On Twins’ COVID-19 Situation

    Quick Hits: Odorizzi, Posey, Miggy, Mazara, Rays

    MLBTR Chat Transcript

    Padres Place Dan Altavilla On 10-Day IL, Select Nick Ramirez

    Nationals’ Luis Avilan Suffers UCL Tear

    East Injury Notes: Kiermaier, Harper, Suero, Biggio

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Francisco Lindor Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version