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Giants Non-Tender Kevin Pillar

By Jeff Todd and Anthony Franco | December 2, 2019 at 6:58pm CDT

The Giants have non-tendered center fielder Kevin Pillar, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). He’ll head onto the open market.

Set to reach his 31st birthday in January, Pillar was slated to earn a projected $9.7MM in his final trip through the arbitration process. That proved too rich for the San Francisco organization, which played Pillar regularly after picking him up early in the 2019 season from the Blue Jays.

Frankly, it’s not surprising to see the Giants pass at that price. Pillar is a gritty performer who still makes his share of highlight-reel plays and has good pop for an up-the-middle player. But advanced analysis suggests he has lost a step in the field and he continues to turn in cringeworthy on-base numbers.

Last season, Pillar slashed just .259/.287/.432 (85 wRC+). That marked his fourth consecutive season of offensive performance more than ten percent below league average. When Pillar was an elite defender in center, that perhaps would have sufficed, even at a relatively lofty price point. However, he’s rated as a mere average center fielder the past two season, combining for -7 defensive runs saved and +2 runs per Ultimate Zone Rating. Statcast, meanwhile, pegged him as a 51st percentile outfielder in 2019. Combined with his lackluster bat, that defensive downturn proved too much for the Giants.

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Kevin Pillar Newsstand San Francisco Giants Transactions

A’s Non-Tender Treinen, Phegley, Buchter
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Phillies Non-Tender Cesar Hernandez, Maikel Franco
83 comments
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Comments

  1. bagsliv

    1 year ago

    Pillar back to Canada?

    Like
    Reply
    • fw-

      1 year ago

      The Braves. AA has to have those former Blue Jays players.

      Like
      Reply
    • bluejays12345

      1 year ago

      Yes please!! They need a center fielder for a couple years. That can actually catch the ball

      Like
      Reply
      • sidewinder11

        1 year ago

        Pache is coming. They have no need for Pillar

        2 Like
        Reply
  2. mattwild1

    1 year ago

    are you kidding me? he was our best player! we could’ve at least traded him later in the season

    1 Like
    Reply
    • jpm9q3

      1 year ago

      They could have traded him today if any team wanted him

      2 Like
      Reply
    • wv17

      1 year ago

      Not at that price tag.

      1 Like
      Reply
    • rightyspecialist

      1 year ago

      What is wrong with Giants fans? Pillar is a + 1 WAR guy w/ one of the worst OBP stats in MLB
      He was only a Giant for 8 months and fans are mourning his departure and criticizing Zaidi
      You people are a bunch of overly sentimental Freaks

      1 Like
      Reply
      • LeftyOdoul

        1 year ago

        We are overly sentimental. We waited 50 years for a championship. We appreciate quality players and are sad when they depart.

        4 Like
        Reply
        • Taejonguy

          1 year ago

          Pillar is not a quality player…

          1 Like
          Reply
        • DirtyLittleBastard

          1 year ago

          Lefty’s comment is spot on. To a great extent the Giants’ predicament is a side effect of their success. Breaking the drought was hugely emotional, and Giants fans have prioritized loyalty over a more logical and practical team-building strategy that would have pared away many of the pieces that are underperforming while sucking up salary.

          It’s probably hard for most to recognize that Pillar and his +1 WAR were highlights on the team last year. Posey, Belt, and Crawford were terrible. There’s almost no immediate help from the farm system. Pillar’s range might have evaporated, but it wasn’t necessarily clear with the human eye. He made a lot of great catches. Fans tolerated the low OBP with the timely power. On a bad team, Pillar was a pillar of hustle and stability.

          Like
          Reply
        • WarrenSpahn

          1 year ago

          .296 OBP is not quality…

          1 Like
          Reply
        • ShieldF123

          1 year ago

          Well I don’t see much in that roster to appreciate right now…

          Like
          Reply
  3. jneumann

    1 year ago

    The mvp candidate lol

    Like
    Reply
    • antibelt

      1 year ago

      He was there best player. I don’t see how releasing him improves us at all. Duggar’s play has been subpar and he’s been significantly injured the last two years. Keep being cheap, and start expecting to see a lot of empty seats.

      4 Like
      Reply
      • jneumann

        1 year ago

        Well pillar is probably gonna be going to a contender so good for him

        Like
        Reply
      • Wolf Chan

        1 year ago

        I wouldn’t say the best but he did contribute – the thing is that pillar isn’t in the long term plans , he is older and more expensive and eventually a blocker. there are a lot of guys that fit his profile for a similar dollar amount especially with his defensive peripherals going down – he was the best center fielder SF has had in a long time but he isn’t the best CF period.

        1 Like
        Reply
        • antibelt

          1 year ago

          We have no outfielder who can play centerfield and put evn close to Pillars number. He won’t be blocking anyone since it’s only for one year. Just because we’re not favorites doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try and win SOME games.

          3 Like
          Reply
        • jpm9q3

          1 year ago

          Yaz and Davis can both play CF and Ramos or Bishop is the answer long term. Might be a signal they want to spend the $10M on the corners. Stay patient, fam.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • jimmertee

          1 year ago

          Anti, you are so correct. The Jays learned that lesson too when they traded him for 3 sacks of fungo bats from San Fran early in 2019..

          Like
          Reply
      • jpm9q3

        1 year ago

        It won’t be Duggar unless he earns it. Almost every OF Farhan acquired last year can play a decent CF. Yaz and Davis for sure.

        Like
        Reply
      • Kipster

        1 year ago

        Agreed. KP is an inspiration who’s fun to watch. I won’t waste anymore
        Time watching a revolving door of lackluster players. It just doesn’t end…

        Like
        Reply
      • Kipster

        1 year ago

        Agreed.

        Like
        Reply
  4. francys08

    1 year ago

    Wow, Zaidi

    1 Like
    Reply
  5. bjhaas1977

    1 year ago

    Take a swing Wilpon’s!

    1 Like
    Reply
    • MrMet62

      1 year ago

      Thinking the same thing…

      1 Like
      Reply
    • Canosucks

      1 year ago

      I am praying as a Met’s fan that we get him!
      Why give up players for Marte when we can sign Pillar for just cash!

      Like
      Reply
      • jpm9q3

        1 year ago

        Because Marte is a lot better?

        1 Like
        Reply
        • andremets

          1 year ago

          Obviously Marte is better but say Pillar for $5m/year for one or two years, keep the prospects and use the rest of the money to say another reliever like Betances.

          Like
          Reply
  6. TL

    1 year ago

    Might make sense on a short term deal for the Pirates if they end up trading Marte.

    1 Like
    Reply
  7. thequail

    1 year ago

    That’s crazy. He was our best player overall last season. Farhan and GM Harris better come up w something good !

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Wolf Chan

      1 year ago

      in time it will be a footnote.

      2 Like
      Reply
    • dynamite drop in monty

      1 year ago

      Wow maybe y’all should acquire better players

      Like
      Reply
  8. Ryan Barnes

    1 year ago

    The man who got down MVP voted?! What a loss!

    2 Like
    Reply
  9. birdsfan415

    1 year ago

    1 MVP vote

    2 Like
    Reply
  10. AllinTX

    1 year ago

    The Rangers should be all over this. Much needed help and a righty.

    Like
    Reply
  11. Wolf Chan

    1 year ago

    this was the big Q for the giants – he was very much a fence guy so I am not surprised though I wouldn’t have been surprised if they tendered one as well

    Like
    Reply
  12. Al Hirschen

    1 year ago

    Mets should be all over him

    1 Like
    Reply
    • rookiegreg

      1 year ago

      Exactly my first thought

      1 Like
      Reply
    • king beas

      1 year ago

      Agreed I’d prefer this to giving up anything for Marte. Platoon him and nimmo in center one plays defense and one gets on base

      1 Like
      Reply
  13. MetsFanaticDanny

    1 year ago

    This is the CF Brodie Van Wagenen should be targeting. Don’t have to trade away assets, has some pop, can steal a few bases, may not get on base at at high clip but he also plays good defense in Center.

    3 Like
    Reply
  14. steelerbravenation

    1 year ago

    Giants avoided arb with Dickerson so that tells me they at least spoke with Pillar bout coming to an agreement.
    I guess he thinks he is worth more than they were offering. Had a nice bounce back season but not worth what he would get in arb.

    1 Like
    Reply
  15. geg42

    1 year ago

    I think he plays better defense than advanced metrics can measure. His ability to catch balls over the fence does not just turn hits into outs but home runs into outs.

    2 Like
    Reply
  16. BobbyVwannabe

    1 year ago

    I see the Mets in play on Pillar. Makes a ton of sense over trading for Marte.

    1 Like
    Reply
  17. Strike Four

    1 year ago

    Worst MVP vote-getter in history lol

    Whoever voted for him needs to be forced into retirement.

    Like
    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      1 year ago

      not as bad as the guy who voted for Scherzer for CY in 2018 IMO.

      1 Like
      Reply
    • hopper15

      1 year ago

      It was Hank Schulman who gave Pillar the vote. He covers the giants.

      Like
      Reply
    • JDGoat

      1 year ago

      Meh it’s not like a vote way down there is ever going to impact who actually wins MVP

      Like
      Reply
    • rightyspecialist

      1 year ago

      That homer Giants beat writer from the Chronicle gave him the vote. Not surprised. Frisco baseball writers are AWFUL
      No critical assessment of Giants players or Bochy but were quick to absolutely tar and feather gabe kapler before he managed a single game.

      Like
      Reply
  18. jpeezy43

    1 year ago

    Royals should look into Pillar. Great defense and a solid Bat to fill some holes in the outfield. Possible deadline flip as well.

    Like
    Reply
  19. herecomdatboi

    1 year ago

    He was solid in Toronto, I’d take him back

    Like
    Reply
    • jimmertee

      1 year ago

      I would take him back in Toronto as well. After seeing what was roaming the Toronto Blue Jays CF position in 2019, Pillar would be welcome relief.

      Like
      Reply
  20. Pete'sView

    1 year ago

    Absolutely the right move by SF. Thanks to Pillar for 2019 (his high-water mark in almost every category). But his 2020 price tag wasn’t commensurate with his projected regression.

    1 Like
    Reply
  21. aussiegiants53

    1 year ago

    Not sure I like this, maybe they re sign him 2/15 or something, a little odd but hopefully FZ has something up his sleeve

    Like
    Reply
    • Scottn59c

      1 year ago

      Not enough people are thinking along these lines. NO one is going to pay Pillar 10 million in arbitration. SF may offer him a contract at a lesser amount. Of course, so might any other team.

      1 Like
      Reply
  22. snotrocket

    1 year ago

    I get why they did it, but he was one of like 3 guys who actually played with heart last season. Wish they could non-tender Crawford and Belt.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • giantsphan12

      1 year ago

      Snot…I agree with everything you said….100%

      Like
      Reply
    • talking baseball

      1 year ago

      Snot, Pillar, Panda, Yaz & Dubon all had heart and hustle. The rest of the guys looked they died and they forgot to burry them.
      As much as I like Crawford, he’s lost bat speed and step in the field, he also needs to loose some weight he’s gained over the last 2 years. As far a Belt, he has more holes in his swing than Swiss cheese and just drives me crazy every at bat. All defense at first base doesn’t play well. Posey, let him ride off into the sunset in a couple of years. He’s a good roll model for the young guys.

      Like
      Reply
  23. justinept

    1 year ago

    An absolute masher against LHP. He would make sense as a platoon guy w/ Heyward or Happ for the Cubs.

    Like
    Reply
  24. azcrook

    1 year ago

    Best field player by far last year…….FZ apparently trusts his slide rule and metric crap over having some type of energetic backbone in the locker room…..Buster is the only other veteran presence (although quiet) in the room. Belt and Crawford are over the hill. Wake up Farhan…. you are losing more fans each move you make.

    Like
    Reply
    • gravel

      1 year ago

      Slow your roll. Pillar can resign once he finds there is no ~10MM per year market for an aging CF who is in decline.

      The Giants have plenty of others who are in decline, let’s not add another at that price.

      Like
      Reply
    • rightyspecialist

      1 year ago

      Back bone of the locker room? Of what ? A losing clubhouse that just posted it’s 3rd consecutive below .500 season.
      You don’t want loser chemistry.

      Like
      Reply
  25. Dodgethis

    1 year ago

    The non tender doesn’t mean giants won’t resign him. Even with a lack of centerfielder in general right now, pillar isn’t a 10mil player.

    1 Like
    Reply
  26. JayRyder

    1 year ago

    He might get signed back for 7.5 mil

    Or get a better deal. Farhan rolling the dice early.

    Like
    Reply
  27. ChiSoxCity

    1 year ago

    The Giants are a mess.

    2 Like
    Reply
    • AndyWarpath

      1 year ago

      The Giants have 75m to spend in free agency. They’re fine.

      Like
      Reply
      • andremets

        1 year ago

        75m is meaningless when they don’t spend it.

        Like
        Reply
      • rightyspecialist

        1 year ago

        Who told you that ? Lol. Zaidi isnt gonna spend 75M or even half of that

        They are in the beginning stages of a massive rebuild. You don’t spend a lot while rebuilding for the simple fact that you’re not going to compete

        Like
        Reply
        • AndyWarpath

          1 year ago

          Team was 54-50 after June 1 and have 75m to spend in free agency. They might be more competitive than you’re giving them credit for.

          Like
          Reply
        • gmenfan

          1 year ago

          Short of the torrid six weeks they had in 2019, they’ve been a losing club since July 2016. Let’s not put too much stock in a month and a half of baseball when three years says otherwise.

          Like
          Reply
    • Kipster

      1 year ago

      Just gets worse and worse. A revolving door. I hate seeing players treated like merchandise. No class

      Like
      Reply
    • WarrenSpahn

      1 year ago

      Buster Posey is the Face of the Franchise with 7 HRs and 38 RBIs in 2019…

      Like
      Reply
  28. alien272

    1 year ago

    Brodie??

    Like
    Reply
  29. jim stem

    1 year ago

    Mets should look closely at him. Righthanded, center fielder, gamer that plays every day.

    Like
    Reply
  30. missjill2u

    1 year ago

    “Winning the Willie Mac Award is not so lucky”, said Duffy, Hundley and Pillar

    1 Like
    Reply
  31. bradthebluefish

    1 year ago

    His 1.0 WAR says he can still play.

    Like
    Reply
  32. Jumanji

    1 year ago

    It’s a tough idea to accept, but veteran players are just placeholders in the Giants’cold new reality- at least until the farm system can produce more of what they need to compete. The veterans’ role is simply to buy time for prospects to develop, while giving the appearance that they care about competing. In that sense Vogt and Pillar did a very good job of buying some time for Ramos and Bart. The players who replace Vogt and Pillar will probably not do as well, but it’s irrelevant. They’re not trying to win and these players are not part of the larger plan.
    Don’t get too attached to any new veterans Giants fans, or even the younger acquisitions like Yastrzemski. A slow start in April likely would have him back in Sacramento.

    It’s really difficult to follow the Giants right now, but I understand that Zaidi has to work through the wreckage left by so many bad contracts and even poorer drafts. The way I see it Giants fans are just getting a taste of what the have- nots have done for years, albeit with better prospects.

    At this point it’s tough to see why anyone would want to witness in person, unless it’s something you’re just doing for the first time.

    Like
    Reply
    • moody

      1 year ago

      Yaz is 29 though…

      Like
      Reply
  33. andremets

    1 year ago

    Are Giant fans serious when they say Pillar was their best player last year? Is that a running joke? Was their offense that bad last year????

    Like
    Reply
    • gmenfan

      1 year ago

      Yes, no, yes. Check the stats, he was their second best offensive player behind Yaz.

      Like
      Reply
  34. jimmertee

    1 year ago

    I always liked Pillar. His skills haven’t degrated to the point where he is depth. His numbers still play as a full-time Cf’der.

    Managers love to pencil guys like Pillar in the lineup everyday.

    Considering there are some holes in MLB clubs in CF, Pillar will land on his feet somewhere.

    All the best to him.

    1 Like
    Reply
  35. WarrenSpahn

    1 year ago

    While they’re changing things up, can the Gigantes please get some new play-by-play announcers. so sick of Krukow and Kuiper…

    Like
    Reply
  36. Sjf2410

    1 year ago

    As a 30 year Giants fan. I just want to state that 90% of Giants fans are baseball ignorant. They non tendered Pillar for good reason to save payroll. And once he realizes he isn’t getting paid what he wants, he will re-sign with SF MUCH cheaper.

    Like
    Reply

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