7:37pm: This one’s in the books, with the Sox announcing the signing.
5:25am: The Red Sox are reportedly in agreement on a one-year, $4.25MM deal with free-agent outfielder Kevin Pillar. The All Bases Covered Sports Management client is said to be set for a physical this weekend, after which the deal will be officially announced by the club (assuming all goes well).
Pillar, 31, was non-tendered by the Giants earlier in the winter after hitting .259/.287/.432 with a career-high 21 home runs in 2019. He’d been projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn $9.7MM in arbitration. Pillar also swiped 14 bags — his fifth straight season with at least that many — and struck out in just 13.8 percent of his plate appearances. However, the longtime Blue Jays center fielder also only walked at a 2.8 percent clip — a career low — and the resulting .287 on-base percentage was one of the worst marks of any qualified MLB hitter.
Defensively, he played a roughly average center field by measure of metrics like Defensive Runs Saved, Ultimate Zone Rating and Outs Above Average. That’s a step back from the days when he graded out as one of MLB’s premier defensive players, but Pillar is still at least a serviceable option in center and likely an above-average glove in the corners.
Following the trade of Mookie Betts, the Red Sox had an all-left-handed-hitting outfield comprised of Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr. and newly acquired Alex Verdugo. Pillar will give them a right-handed hitting complement to that bunch as well as insurance against an injury (or perhaps an eventual trade of Bradley) at any of the three positions. He’s a career .281/.313/.453 hitter against southpaws, so while he’s not exactly a lefty masher, he’s still a bit above average in those situations.
Dumping the salaries of Betts and David Price (well, half of his deal) in the Dodgers trade dropped the Red Sox south of the $208MM luxury tax threshold by a bit less than $10MM. They should be able to bring Pillar aboard while maintaining ownership’s preference to remain south of that cutoff.
MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reported that the two sides were close to a deal. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal added that a Major League pact was in the works. Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reported that a deal had been reached, and Heyman tweeted the final guarantee.
Good signing.
How so? Guy can’t get on base. His OBP has been mediocre in every single one of the years he’s played.
And by mediocre you mean one of the league’s worst
BUT HE HAS A SOLID bAtTiNg AvErAgE
You need to check his numbers against lefties. Huge upgrade over JBJ.
There’s some established lefties I would prefer over Pillar. Investing in guys for one trait (batting average against righties) is faulty.
Oh yeah, cause their going to sign another lefty. Nice try
Established lefties? Uh, Pillar is a righty bat. Bosox can’t have JBJ be exposed against lefties again. Enter Pillar.
Right, but how about a better right handed hitter overall?
Who has the defensive prowess of Pillar? I think you’re nitpicking here. He’s is a good addition as a 4th/platoon OF
Many players. Pillar isn’t good defensively
Agreed, if Pillar is your 4th OF, that’s a really good situation to be in. He can easily fill-in for an injury and not kill the team.
Yeah. “Mediocre” would be overselling how ‘good’ Pillar’s one-base skills by several factors. It’s never once been league average.
In the high minors, he had the contact and BABIP skills to make up for his inability to draw a walk, but lower-than-average BABIP + extemely low (and getting worse) pitch-taking = atrocious OBP skills unless you can strike less than 10 times over 600 PA.
That said, I presume his role on the Red Sox is 4-5th OF who can (soft-)platoon one of/ all the LHH starters. He’s reached the point in his career where his platoon split has been pretty well determined (105 wRC+ in 800 PA vLHP, 81 wRC+ in >2000 PA vRHP: https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kevin-pillar/12434/splits?position=OF&season=0#advanced) and he’s at least average-ish in CF still.
Rotate him around or use him in a hard-platoon. It *CAN* be a good benchie signing, depending on all the factors that a benchie signing almost always depends on.
Pwndroia- it’s a good signing because you get better offensive value and just about as good a glove than bradley for way cheaper. Signing him would allow them to trade bradley
Not much offensive value if you ask me. He has a career OBP less than .300. that’s like the mendoza line.
Of course! This is a prelude to trading JBJ, dumping some salary, and I assume picking up pitching. The two players are awfully close, and if JBJ doesn’t have his patented hot streak, like last year, he’s not worth his salary.
I dont necessarily think this is a precursor to trading JBJ. They are getting a RH compliment to their all-lefty outfield. If JBJ isn’t exposed to lefties this year he will put up good numbers a be a tradable asset, which at the moment, he is not.
If only defense were part of the game…..
There is no measure that points to Pillar being a better offensive player than JBJ — absolutely none. One could say he’s a comparable offensive value, but it is a very, wholly literal statement that _Pillar’s best_ season in the last 4 is equal to _JBJ’s worst_.
2016-2019 wRC+:
Pillar: 82, 86, 89, 85
JBJ: 118, 89, 90, 90
PIllar: https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kevin-pillar/12434/stats?position=OF
JBJ: https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jackie-bradley-jr/12984/stats?position=OF
Again, one can reasonably argue that Pillar ~= JBJ when $ aren’t factored (and could be superior given the salary differences). To say he’s offensively better, though, is simply unfounded.
Leave it to the Red Sox to trade an MVP caliber player away for a guy with a bad back. Then to top it off , sign an aging has been to play the outfield to replace that MVP. Good move!
You seem to understand Baseball very well.
Someone has to replace them. verdago is a potentially great player for one year of someone who’s undersized and has skills that rapidly decline over the next year or two. He might come back to Bos after his contract is up and they still she’d $48 million of a bad contract.
They might as well implode the team and get that #1 draft pick….oh wait, they’ll probably forfeit that for VideoGate. Nice plan. Enjoy empty Fenway.
Aging has been? No wonder the world outside of Boston hates the Red Sox & their ignorant fans.
Pillar is an outstanding outfielder! But seeing him in that Boston uniform makes me sick to my stomach. He’s better than Boston, the cheaters that ruins players then dumps them.
I mean, he had 1.5 fWAR last year….that makes this a pretty club-friendly deal for essentially an average ballplayer. You can’t just base your opinion on one stat like OBP….yes it matters, but obviously he was able to do other things well enough to warrant an MLB job
Whether it’s a good signing or not he’ll probably get a lot of playing time to start the year. Verdugo’s out with a stress fracture in his back.
Definitely. Now the Sox will finally have a use for those misprinted Kevin Millar jerseys from 15 years ago.
Every time I see his name I’m hearing “Kevin Pill-AH” in my head.
Except Pedie has to retire or give up 1-5.
Wrong. Guy is a rally killer.
Guy is a run saver.
No he’s not
Rally killer whether he’s on offense or defense.
1.5 DRS last year. Pillar still qualifies as a run saver.
not anymore. fading player in the field.
Newly acquired Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo may not be ready for the start of the season Due to a back injury Red Sox could’ve made a better trade if David Price wasn’t stapled with Mookie Betts
Perhaps, but Price at $16mm a year is really good for the Dodgers. I like the return Boston as is so dumping price was the cherry on top
Agree… great value…his projected Arb #s were nearly $10M.
These are the low cost bench players that have a chance to really payoff with very little risk. And are good trade pieces at the deadline if the season is a bust.
Too much nobody wants him
Eh. Just because “nobody wants” a player (a statement that cannot be verified as there are far too many undetermined variables why he hadn’t signed a deal already) doesn’t mean that a bench-player-value contract is “too much” for a bench-quality player.
I read this as “good, they are finally signing people with all that hard earned saved cash”. Lol
4th places moves. Enjoy an empty Fenway.
Goddamn it Pirates, sign an OF. Got to be Maybin now.
Jose Tabata is available.
Jose Tabata is a cheater
Then he’ll fit right in
The Red Sox are cheaters! Perfect fit.
Pirates are never going to sign someone another team wants. Would you want to play for that team?
Three years of tanking coming up.
I’ve heard from a reputable source (I live in Asheville, Maybin’s hometown) that he’s got something brewing with Pittsburgh. Not sure if it’s final or how close, but there have been talks.
Yuengling?
For Pittsburgh, Iron City Light might be more appropriate. Yuengling (Pottsville) is eastern Pennsylvania…
IC Light is garbage. We have a million quality microbrews though
IC Light was actually delish when Pittsburgh Brewing Company actually made it. But I agree, garbage nowadays.
Or I should say, before it started being made in Latrobe.
Ellsbury
Final answer: Jarrod Dyson
Are we sure they just didn’t purchase a Dyson vacuum cleaner and someone named Jarrod to use it? Given where there attendance stands to be this year, that may be all the cleaning crew they need.
No reason to take Gods name in vain
My apologies, no offense intended.
No reason not to since he’s a figment of your imagination it didn’t hurt anyone.
Didn’t Maybin get signed by Detroit?
Decent pickup but what are they doing about starting pitching? Pillar is a good 4th OF/Platoon guy on a competing team. It solidifies a solid lineup and defense, even without Mookie. The rotation is a potential disaster.
BoSox will surprise everyone but me when they compete for a WC. They have elite defense that will make bad pitching look decent.
You’re funny
And your fickle for someone who hasn’t won a title in 10 years
Angel fan checking in to confirm that good defense cannot catch a bunch of homeruns given up by bad pitching, Unless they take the juice out of the ball, of course.
Even then, because it’s Fenway, all the de-juiced balls to LF just bounce off the wall.
We don’t even have a fifth starter.
We Bosox fans used to think that way in the 70’s.Top 1-2 starting pitchers get you the trophy.Pedro/Schill,Becket/Lester,Sale/Price
And who might be the equivalent two in 2020? Oh. Don’t have them? That would be the correct answer:
2020 SP projections:
https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=ALL&teamid=3#SP
– Top-2 SP WAR (Sale & Rodriguez): 4.9 & 3.0
2004 Top-2 (Schilling & Pedro): 6.5 & 4.9
– https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2004&month=0&season1=2004&ind=0&team=3&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0
– Note: plus Arroyo at 3.3
2007 Top-2 (Beckett and Dice): 5.7 & 2.9
– https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2007&month=0&season1=2007&ind=0&team=3&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0
– Note: plus Okajima and Papelbon with 1.1 and 2.1(!!!!!) RP WAR, respectively (Seriously… 2.1 RP WAR is enormous)
2013 Top-2 (Lester and Lackey): 3.3 & 2.5
– https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2013&month=0&season1=2013&ind=0&team=3&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0
– Note: Uehara with 3.3(!!!!!!) RP WAR (if 2.1 RP WAR is enormous…)
2017 Top-2 (Sale & Pomeranz):
– https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2017&month=0&season1=2017&ind=0&team=3&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0
– Note1: Price was injured almost the entire season and didn’t start even 1 playoff game and had only two relief appearances
– Note2: Kimbrel with 3.2(!!!!!) RP WAR (again with an ultra-dominant RP performance?!?!?!)
Based on the empirical data presented, I’d say the following are fair conclusions:
1. The Red Sox’s projected Top-2 are not comparable to past Top-2’s that were critical to their recent WS wins. The #2 guy is, after all, projected to be worse than some past #3 SP WS team guys
2. You don’t *ALWAYS* need an elite Top-2. Being elite in other areas can also get you the trophy
3. If anything, one could argue that having an elite RP (who outperforms most MLB SP in WAR) might be considered more important**
** again, though, not necessarily. There is not any single carrying factor that will definitively “get you the trophy”. All conclusions presented just now are based on the very, very limited data that is the Red Sox’s pitching WAR leaders from their 4 recent WS-winning teams
How does a guy who can’t get on base help solidify a lineup?
I think it’s his street clothes that helps the most. This guy is flat stylish
All he really needs to do is cut down on the strikeouts and this is a steal of a signing. I don’t doubt he will cut down on them as well. Last year was an anomaly. He was a great Jay, fan favourite and Sox fans will love him. Good luck KP.
There were only 19 qualified hitters in MLB who struck out less often than Pillar in 2019. The 13.8 percent K-rate was presented as a good thing.
So what’s your definition of “qualified”? I counted 185 players with more strikeouts than Pillar’s 89 last year!
Reading comprehension
Sorry, I mis-interpreted your meaning.
Okay. And his walk rate was 2.8 %. And his OBP was .287. In 645 at bats. Absolutely pathetic. Oh, and his UZR/150 last year was -0.6.
Jeff Fassero-lite Rueter….Pillar is not starting on this Red Sox team. Throw out your numbers because Pillar is a platoon 4th OF facing lefties. An .823 OBP against left handed pitching and moving to a more hitter-friendly division.
@KirkRueter
That is 100% correct. To bring those up in this context is deflection due to its redundancy, however. The point about his low K-rate was exclusively and overtly directed at the “All he really needs to do is cut down on the strikeouts…” heading comment.
The ks bother you more than the lack of walks????
Bro, you can’t use sign and steal in the same sentence in 2020.
Pillar has always been a low SO guy. His problem is he actually has really high contact rates which makes him think he can hit anything which results often in poor contact. This is a common misconception among Blue Jay’s fans for some reason. I guess those occasion bad swings stunk in peoples heads.
Limiting his exposure to tough RHP as a semi regular would make him a much more valuable player.
Last year was an anomaly for his SOs only in that it was 1.4 Ks less than his average since he became a regular. Guys that are 31 don’t start cutting down on SOs.
Career rate is 15.3% and that wasn’t the lowest of his career. He is not a high SO guy and never had been. 2018 he was 18.1 which is not high unlike the guy the Jay’s extended and his 28.3% career SO rate
the problem is all his funky swings at ball off the plate make for a lot of weakly hit balls
melochejohn:
I was responding to the post that stated 2019 was an anomaly; it wasn’t, and the assertion that he would cut down on his SOs; he won’t. Neither of these things are incorrect. nor have anything to do with his K rate.
Last year an anomaly? Guy hasn’t had a better OBP than .314 in a single season. That’s disgusting. Bloom at it again with another low risk low reward deal. I’d take back Holt in a heartbeat.
It’s almost as if you didn’t read the article
Now how about that new report of astros cheating scandal with Beltran being the kingpin.
Pillar
Beltran is a ex-Yankee so him being the mastermind of a cheating scandal is no surprise.
Beltran is also an ex-Royal, an ex-Met, an ex-Cardinal and an ex-Giant. By your logic that means all those teams cheated too.
Manfredsajoke
Love to see your non-existent proof for that. On the contrary, what we do know is that the Red Sox were caught for stealing signs.
Theyre being investigated with nothing turning up yet
The Mookie Betts deal all makes sense now
haha, nice
Yes, it’s called prepping to compete again after this year. Blue Jays ever tried that? Oh, sorry… They just shoot for third place every season. And neither prep, nor win.
In fact have the Blue Jays ever crossed that luxury-tax threshold and been a repeater tax payer? Do they even have to worry about taking a year off to prep for the next season? I didn’t think so.
Besides the fact that I was clearly joking, and that it’s Boston you’re talking about “prepping for next year” when it’s the Boston Red Sox of all teams that are crying poor, yes, the blue Jays have tried that. That one offseason where they brought in Ryu, and Roark, and Shaw… not that that matters at all lol.
So crossing the luxury tax threshold makes you a good team? That’s ridiculous and ignorant lol. They along with Tampa are stuck in the East. Over the last 25 years they would’ve made the playoffs if they were in the weak Central Division.
Turbo, Gary’s argument was the fact Toronto settles for mediocrity (3rd place), refuses to go all out in spending and didn’t go over the luxury threshold when they were good. They have the money and the deep pockets. That was the argument Gary was making.
Save your ignorance for your mirror because you blatantly ignored what he said. Y
You have more patience than I do. Trying to explain to someone what you mean in a post when it’s right there clearly, was something I couldn’t bother with.
I hear you. It’s par for the course with Jays fans.
Didn’t they offer a 33 yo Bautista $150,000,000 contract? The luxury tax is a terrible way to judge “going for it”. % of income spent is better. The Yankees at one point spent 85% of income on the team on the field that’s going for it.
No. Bautista asked for that contract at 35 turning 36, allegedly.
Is it your job to always find a way to rag on the Jay’s like literally every post that has Jay’s in it your there throwing in your stupid 2 cents,I mean here you are again defending some idiots opinion you don’t even know don’t worry though from now on I promise to defend every single post where your bashing the Jay’s because you are nothing more than a troll and coming off a bit too much like you really just don’t like Canada
You lose all credibility when you call someone an idiot. Be careful who you call an idiot. Just tell me when the Jays have done anything since 92 93. As your name suggests. Was it even that recently? Been so long I forget.
And another thing, watch out who you call an idiot. Make that a habit and it won’t work out. It’s actually just not cool on these anonymous forums. Just sayin.
It’s all good. You’re good. I get it. We’re cool.
By the way, I was born in Victoria, British Columbia. 1960’s. Royal Jubilee Hospital. Not sure if it’s still around. I live in California now.
Gary, thank you so much for saying this!
Talking down to people and calling them idiots is far too common online. Having a real debate about baseball should be constructively fun otherwise finding a better hobby should be strongly considered.
Jays were in the playoffs 2015 & 2016 and even won some games while they were there. Personally, that seems like doing something.
If winning the ‘Ship is the only way to qualify as doing anything in your books, then you are correct about 92/93.
PS:
British Columbia is still around, so is Victoria.
But you probably meant the Royal Jubilee… also still there!
FilthyRich, yup the name calling gets old quick.
The Jays have had their moments and actually their historical success is evident, just not enough of it. But you could say that about any team in MLB because with 30 teams no single team wins enough to brag about it… unless you’re talking about the darn Yankees who have championships coming out of their ears. But again, just not lately LOL. Go Red Sox !!
Yes yes I meant the Royal Jubilee Hospital. I have been back to visit Victoria a few times as an adult and love visiting. Great City.
Since the Jays last won the Series, the Yankees, Red Sox, Giants, Cardinals, Marlins have multiple titles!
Those teams fans deserve to brag.
Since going to 30 teams, the Yankees and Red Sox have 4 each.
And the Giants with 3 makes for half the titles going to just 3 teams in that span! Sucks for an AL East inferiority complex, but could be worse if 15 teams didn’t have longer droughts than the Jays.
Speaking of droughts, I started out having a soft spot for the Red Sox. Mainly because my grandpa. Also the aura of Ted Williams. And a love for Pedro that grew out of control while he was an Expo.
Been meeting fans of theirs that might confuse Jim Rice for Jerry and would ask you what an Oil Can Boyd was lately though. Kinda hardens that soft spot haha.
Victoria has a summer collegiate level ball team now that has gotten very popular the last few years if you weren’t aware. Nick Pivetta was the first alumni to make MLB.
Cheers!
Good stuff brother !
Wow, Pedro was historical alltime amazing for a couple years there, and Oil Can had his moments. He was actually a reliable starter for I think a season and a half or two. Good memories in the otherwise dismal 80s and 90s.
Best of luck to Kevin – he was such fun to watch in SF. A great guy, teammate, clubhouse presence. Going to miss him.
Why weren’t the Rangers not in him as a right handed batting CF?
With the Red Sox he will know if a fastball or offspeed pitch is coming, so I would think his ks would decrease and walk rate increasr
Will you still make this “joke” when the Sox are cleared of wrongdoing?
They will only be cleared of wrongdoing if those involved all lie.
Stop the nonsense already Mo. if 100% of everything done in the last thirty – forty years would come back, most if not all championship banners would have to be returned.
*come out
Timmy Tube Socks comments again
Finally! Mo4evah has broken this story wide open! No need for any further investigations. Ovah!
Mo4evah reveals his true ‘Troll’ colors smh!!!….kettle calling the pot black huh?! you ol’ wise one lol…..
Mo US going to disappear when the transparency comes out again this team. Or eat a hat. But I doubt that.
YES Network cameras, For two decades
Your proof? Bosox accused them of using YES cameras. NYY were investigated. BoSox’s accusations were found to have NO MERIT.
*Astros
Hey Brat, borrowing your comment but one change:
Best of luck to Kevin – he was such fun to watch in Tor. A great guy, teammate, clubhouse presence. Going to miss him.
Sox fans gonna love him, strike outs or not. He’s the guy you love to cheer for.
Who cares about strike outs? An out is an out. The man doesn’t walk or get on base at a major league clip. He could strike out 200 times as long as he gets on base at least over 30percent of the time. Which he is unable to do.
Hey, they cudda had Juan Lagares, so this IS a good signing.
the more important things is when and how he strikes out. swinging at ball four to end the inning with guys on base will frustrate you to no end with Pillar. he gets himself out far too often
An out is not an out. Things can only happen when you put the ball in play. Errors can be made, runners can be moved over, etc. Striking out all the time sucks. It creates boring baseball. These players that are striking out in the hundred+ range should be ashamed to call themselves PROFESSIONAL athletes.
Walks are boring. Check Pillar’s stats against lefties and this signing makes it worthwhile for Boston. Walks are also the one thing opposing teams are willing to do to limit damage. Please stop overvaluing the base on ball.
JBJ in CF, and everybody else gets 350-400 ABs. Welcome to Boston, Verdugo! I’m sure your character issues won’t show themselves in this kind of situation. #CurseOfTheBettbino
Cute with the curse. This one starts only if the Dodgers win in 20 and the Yankees don’t make it there. Hopefully Verdugo matures. There have been many before him who have matured with a scenery change.
JBJ will be gone.
I think you’re right, Looie. This move greases the skids for a trade for SP.
You think JBJ is worth any quality SP? Lol
Retread with an upside. Who you ask? If I had a name, I’d be calling Mr. Bloom…Just salary relief for a shot in the dark.
Pirates should offer to take Herrera off Phillies hands. Phils pay 3/4 salary, take a draft pick and they’re free of him. Pirates get a major league outfielder with a lot to prove.
And lose a draft pick.
They can still cut JBJ without paying him most of the money, so that certainly is possible. Pillar won’t give you JBJ’s defense, but the bat’s slightly better, which equates to a net-net draw.
And if they keep JBJ, Pillar’s a good 4th, especially as a RH hitter. So it’s kind of a win-win.
Not keeping JBJ. Bat is a big upgrade when you realize most of his at bats will be against lefties.
Pillars bat is not “slightly better” it is worse than JBJ. Career 87 OPS+ vs 92 OPS+. Not a massive difference but then again neither is Trout. But JBJ has a better bat.
Pillar is right handed and will only play against lefties barring injuries.
Better career OBP too. .296 is atrocious for Pillar. Doesn’t get much worse than that. Bloom has to make better deals.
Throw away the stats against RHP.
as a sox fan I know Pillar very well. always wished we had him over JBJ any day. surprised his numbers were so average last year, he is a potential all star.
Figures you prefer the white guy.
Dynamite, drop off this site please. No reason to bring race into this discussion.
looie I don’t mind you but I like dynamite a bit more. I say let’s keep him.
Sorry Mo but there was no reason to bring up “white guy”. Imagine the outcry if the opposite comment were made about JBJ. Simply no reason to include race just to incite. Sadly, race often needs to be discussed in America but not this time.
Stupid comment!
Pillar an All-Star? There’s a reason the author of this article felt it was necessary to specify that Pillar and the Red Sox are discussing a Major League deal.
Career .296 OBP is all-star? Even JBJ beats that.
Then you don’t know Pillar at all.
Who gets the DFA? Or are they (heh) under?
um…yes, think so.
He’ll probably hit .400 vs, the Jays.
Accuracy matters… .040. There, I fixed it for you.
id like to see an article on those laughable PECOTA projections, namedly the NL East ones.
Pillar is the world’s beefiest strong man. The ball explodes off his mighty bat.
Too bad he’s only hit 20+ homeruns once in his career so far.
Does this mean Bradley’s getting traded??
Great signing. He will excel there with solid bats around him. Ignore the fielding jargon – he can still glove with the best of them. I was hoping he would find a way back with the Giants, albeit at around $4 million instead of $10.
MLB is crazy. This guy is getting a major league deal?
It’s only money, funny how a guy making under 10 million a year is a bargain.
Only makes sense if Bradley then gets flipped for prospects.
who is their 4th OF now though?
Fair point. . at $4m this makes sense. Wouldn’t make sense to have a 4th OF that brought the Sox right up to the luxury tax threshold at the $9.7m arb projection.
That’s what it says. Major League Deal. Seems like they might be gearing up to trade JBJ for a starting pitcher unless they sign a FA like Anibal Sanchez but they probably need to do both. If JB is traded they might need to sign Brock Holt or someone like that as the 4th outfielder. I have to believe Chaim has some starter possibilities in mind in particular via trade. Sox are now $18M under the cap.
And how is Puig still on the market
How or why? I’d say why is because too many FOs are wary of his divisiveness. 3 teams have first-hand knowledge of his negatives, LAD, SF, and Cincy, and it seems like they want nothing to do with him.
You can add Cleveland to those three and arguably they need him the most.
They’re going to sign Domingo Santana instead.
Pillar! GL in Boston. You’re the man.
Mookie Betts 2.0
They aren’t done, another trade is in the offing.
I wonder what the odds will be of the Pirates winning the World Series this year. I mean seriously, it’s got to be astronomical.
Whether or not it’s a good signing really depends on the contract. If he gets anywhere near his arb projection I’d have to think it isn’t.
Not bad. As a RS fan, he always seemed like JBJ-lite. I prefer JBJ, but if he is like $5M cheaper, I’m going with Pillar. There are still a couple of teams looking for a true CF.
Solid deal, especially if Boston can unload JBJ’s contract at that. Pillar was a fun dude to have is SF, just not worth the price. Especially when the other 8 guys in the line up can’t get on base either.
I’m guessing that Boston starts the season with both JBJ and Pillar on the roster, unless they plan on turning Chavis into a full time OF. They just don’t have a reliable 4th OF right now. JDM can only start 20-30 games in the OF without risking injury to his back. Sox still need to figure out who their #5 starter is too. If I had to venture a guess, they will return their Rule 5 pick to Houston and sign a veteran SP shortly after camp begins.
Great. Now we are going to have to listen to Jerry Remy’s brutal accent even more … “Pill-ahhh is on deck”
Jerry’s accent is priceless. There’s not a better broadcaster out there.
He does a fine job. I’m just kidding.
How many outfielders do they need? How about some pitching please.
To be fair the Red Sox needed a fourth Outfielder. The definitely need to start scraping the barrel for some pitchers to bring to training camp.
Colin McHugh. Not scraping, just not starting but spot starting/ long man.
So does this mean they are going to flip Bradley for a starter?
I mean you can try, but, you’re not going to get much of a starter for him.
Just need a back end right hander than can eat innings
Pittsburgh for Archer?. Not that I want Archer but I doubt the Pirates would part with Musgrove.
Beyond that no teams really need a CF and have starting pitching to give, though I wonder if the Cubs would trade Quintana for Bradley.
I don’t think the Pirates part with archer until he redeems some value. As a RS, I’d love Musgrove, but our we’d have to reimburse you with a prospect to be named later. like a 2022 draft choice.
I like Quintana/JBJ, but the Cubs can’t spare any pitching.
Probably true but the Pirates are rolling the dice that Archer will redeem value. Cubs could part with Quintana but would almost certainly want money in the deal to pay for Bradley since they are apparently “broke”
And we can actually do that now. It might not be a lot, but I’d kick a few million to flip JBJ for Quintana.
They need to bring the Brockstar back to Boston!!!!
Sign Holt Bloom instead of these low risk low reward clowns.
These are very tampa like moves.
They’re also the type of moves bloom was brought in by Henry to execute because ownership wanted made.
Problem is we aren’t Tampa. What works for one doesn’t always work for the other.
Bringing in people that out-perform their salaries always works. One of the things that made the 2004 RS was bringing in Bellhorn, Millar, Mueller, and half the BP, for less than what Manny made.
I’m not saying it doesn’t work every time but these players were also combined with the David Ortizes and Manny Ramirezes.
Tampa knows how to develop pitching for starters. Boston can’t draft and develop a starter to save their life.
Didn’t Bill Mueller win the batting title then, or was it 2003
What teams would be interested in JBJ?
Pirates, potentially Cleveland if the sox eat some salary. Maybe Texas IF they don’t feel comfortable with Santana in center. Maybe Toronto he could platoon with grichuk. And allow grichuk to play left so gurriel can see time in the infield. Maybe the Padres if they prefer him over cordero…. pirates are the only team that NEEDS a centerfielder
Reds and Diamondbacks already addressed their CF needs. Pirates could use a CF but arent likely to pay for one. Giants, Tigers. Cubs, Mets, Rangers all could probably use him to varying degrees but almost none of them will likely try to acquire him.
Hey Boston, sign Puig,,nice clown player
As much as I don’t think Pillar is a great addition, signing Puig is asking for trouble. The guy will ruin a clubhouse.
Good one,would bring back memories of Manny’s antics
Kevin Pillar is overrated in all regards.
But hes a better hitter than Bradley and almost as good a fielder and will be way cheaper
I’m no fan of JBJ, he’s an automatic three outs per game – minimum. I think Pillar & JBJ are quite similar, unfortunately. Agreed, though, I’d take KP over JBJ.
JBJ at least has an OBP above the mendoza line.
Haha, I hope Kevin MILLAR has fun with this. I’ve always hoped Kevin Pillar would play in Boston just for that reason.
Time to call up Rusney Castillo with all that money they saved
He’d probably have a better batting average than Pillar.
Terrific signing. He will hit LHP better than JBJ and give you defense. Knows the AL East.
Re. the RSox–they have 1 open slot on their 40–2 if Pedroia being on the 60 day IL also qualifies as an open slot.
So if they sign Pillar they can keep JBJ without releasing him at this time.
So yes he can be signed to a Major League contract.
Chris Archer might be a good Change of Scenery Trade for Eovaldi/ JBJ and cash considerations if the Pillar move is finalized.
The pirates are not trading archer. It would be admitting they made arguably the worst trade in 10 years. If Shane Baz becomes a major leaguer it will jump to 20. Do not make blockbuster trades with the rays.
If all other MLB teams didn’t trade with the Rays they would implode.
JBJ/Pillar platoon could result in over .800 OPS in CF for Boston. Red Sox fans will take that out of the 8 or 9-hole.
What world are you living in? Lol
The world where Pillar’s OPS is well over .800 against lefties and JBJ’s is near .800 against righties.
Please think before you write. The Pillar hate from ex-Jays fans is not necessary and insulting considering how hard he busted his tail to get to the show. Your ignorance is appalling yet not surprising.
Calm down spanky. His response is valid since Pillar has a career .700 OPS and JBJ isn’t great at .727. Can’t just always play the splits.
LOLREDSOX
Can we please stop acting like anyone wants to trade for JBJ. If that was the case it would have been done weeks ago
Maybe the fact that he has not been trade is related to the fact that the RS have no CF with which to replace him.
Rusney.
Kidding…
Brock Holt should be signed. We are doing him a disservice by not signing him.
Like this.
@pwn, I would love to have Brock Holt back to but he’s not worth $6 million a year, sorry he’s never been an every day player and he never will be in every day player
Stupid Giants GM could have signed him for 5 million less and it would have been a steal. How sad. Our GM is no Sabean. He’s a joke. He has no concept on how to put together a team. I would have traded Belt, Crawford, and Longoria. Those guys are done. Get some fresh younger eager players in there on the team to rejuvenate our success. Oh well. Looks like we are going to lose 100 games this year.
If Belt, Crawford, and Longoria are done, who would trade for them?
Slot him in the rotation
This guy should not be getting 4 million when Maybin and Dyson are getting half that. Stupid move Bloom. Holt probably would sign for 2y/8m.
Dyson is a shell of his former self and Maybin had been terrible for years outside of one year in New York. this deal could be of much better value.
Maybin still has a much better career OBP. He’s got a longer track record, he’s just slightly lower in BA.
Nobody is giving Holt $4 million a year.
Great signing for the Sox. I thought he’d be a great replacement for JBJ if he were traded but I guess replacing Mookie will do. I can see pillar becoming a fan favorite fast in Boston. He’s got that gritty look to him and plays hard
That gritty look LOL!
Verdugo is hurt until mid season. Red Sox needed a starter to open the season.
He isn’t hurt until mid-season. Might miss the beginning of the season maybe.
Total lie
No he’s not
Having watched this guy play for many years (I’m a Jays fan), I can say that he’s decidedly mediocre and a borderline Major Leaguer. It’s always irked me that many casual Jays fans thought he was amazing because he’d make the occasional diving catch (when a truly elite defender would just run down the ball).
He was an elite defense.
In 2015 he was elite. His defense has declined though.
If this guy could just learn to walk a lot more he’d be a $10-15mil a year player.
Congrats to Kevin. Even though the AB’s get tough to watch, you’ll love him in Boston.
Bloom is likely thinking a few months ahead. Verdugo is hurt, and isn’t exactly the kind of player whose shown he’s going to rush back from the IL. So Pillar plays RF for a bit, and if JBJ he can hit anywhere above the Mendoza line, he’s tradeable, if the Sox keep some of the coin; Pilar moves to CF.
$4 million, eh? And yesterday there were complaints that the Tigers signed Maybin for $1.5 mill. as a consolation prize for not landing Pillar. Not sure there’s much difference except the $2.5 mill.!
Good insurance signing for Boston just in case Verdugo isn’t all that he’s expected to be.
I think it’s JBJ and Benny who are the issues. Verdugo is the only one of the 3 lefty starters who has no platoon splits. Pillar’s primary job is to spell the other two.
Don’t get this at all. Yes, the Sox needed another outfielder and a righthanded hitter, but Maybin is probably a better player at this point and was WAY better last year. He signed with the Tigers for $1.5 million. How did the Sox not go for him instead?
Verdugo is not going to be ready to start the season. So in all we picked up an injured player with disciplinary issues who we gave up an MVP for. Stellar job Bloom!!!! No 4th and 5th starters and no bullpen help to help out a bad bullpen from last year. Oh yeah and Pedroia is hurt again on his third comeback year attempt. This team and management is a complete train wreck.
I weep into my four WSC sweatshirts.
Right! There’s 20 teams that’ll take a 1/2 decade of rebuilding for one WS ring. Get over yourself !
Not a Boston fan but they can be easily argued as best ran franchise in baseball.
Trade Bradley Jr. to the Mets?
Doesn’t Maybin hit left handed? I’m pretty sure he does. For those who say the RS were cheating I think we need to hear what MLB has to say before we assume that’s true. Multiple Sox players are on record saying they did not cheat. Pillar seems like a good veteran addition for now as the 4th outfielder who will start if Verdugo is not ready to begin the season. In addition he could be a starter if Bloom decides to trade someone like JBJ for an established starting pitcher or a young starting pitching prospect. Probably could get a 4/5 for JBJ. Also I believe Chavis can play left field. Potentially Dalbec as well who plays 3B and 1B if he makes the team.
$4 million seems rather high for a guy that has never had an OPS+ over 93, and therefore is sub replacement. Back in the day with the Jays, he made up for it with his D, but now that is slipping too.
Curious signing.
Yet giants fans complain about us not signing him. I think 4 million is pretty fair for him but no point in bringing him back for one more year when we’re rebuilding. Just like Vogt.
$4M for Pillar—$11M JBJ–1 year.
So with 4 Of”ders–Benny, JBJ, Pillar and Verdugo–roughly $21 M.
Good D–roughly 16 dingers each. Not bad. I would like Joc and his 35 dingers even for a year.
As Guests has said, ignore Pillar’s batting stats against righties and ignore evaluations of commentors based on those stats.
He is going to be a different player because he will be used in a different way. Likely a 4th outfielder and in platoon situations.
Signing Pillar for 4m is a smart signing for the BoSox.
JBJ cannot be traded unless the Bosox sweeten the deal with cash or prospects.
Jays fans are idiots and cannot comprehend how every variation of WAR should be used. A simple baseball-reference search solves the problem. Jays fans are also ungrateful. They forget how much of a nothing prospect Pillar was 7-8 years ago. He overcame a lot to get to Toronto and made some serious plays to save the 2015 season. And 2016. He wasn’t perfect but boy does he deserve better from fans in Toronto.
We actually appreciate what you just mention and please keep your opinion south of the border thank you.
I see about 400-450 PA’a this season for Pillar with more than half versus lefties.
This is a good signing for a team with three left-handed hitting outfielders.
His glove will play exceptionally well in the outfield corners and his bat won’t be a liability against lhp.
hahahahaha. $4M when Dyson got $2M
They may also bring back Brock Holt if they can get him for $3M or less for 1 year.
Don’t need him. That money needs to be for a SP
Yep
Pillar’s one of the most underrated players in baseball. He’s a brilliant outfielder and a team player with exceptional speed and a strong accurate throwing arm who’s faster, tougher, and better defensively than either Bradley or Betts. He can also provide 20+ HR, 80+ R & RBI, and 15-20 SB. The BoSox are lucky to have him. They should play him in center and Bradley in right.
Did you actually just try to claim pillar is faster, tougher, and better defensively than mookie betts?
Sorry, there’s no way pillar grades out as a better defender than mookie right now. Just no way.
We Bosox fans used to think that way in the 70’s.Top 1-2 starting pitchers get you the trophy.Pedro/Schill,Becket/Lester,Sale/Price
Would the Yankees trade Aaron Judge because he was due to make big money? Absolutely not ! Yankee Management would never do that to their fans or their team. Yet Red Sox Management has no problem with trading our best player to save a few dollars on payroll and luxury tax. This is why we are a train wreck. To me this is as bad as Babe Ruth to the Yankees. Yet we do it for an injured player who has a back injury and has been hurt since August 6 and two minor leaguers prospects who may never make the major leagues. I been a Red Sox fan since the 1970s and I am skeptical of this deal and our Ownership and Management this year!
The Yankees will face the music in the near future when Judge and Sevy and Torres and Sanchez come up while they’re paying Cole and Stanton forever.
See what happens..
LOL! I am weeping into my four WSC sweatshirts.
We didn’t trade him to save a few dollars. We traded him for one good young player, one very good prospect, and one decent prospect.
IRT Ruth, back then, you belonged to the team forever. In contrast to Betts, who we had for only one more season.
Just so it’s on the record for all you out there who say Red Sox fans overvalue their players. A YANKEE fan compared Mookie Betts to Babe Ruth. Not a Red Sox fan.
You don’t see the Betts and Ruth resemblance?
He is a gamer. Leave it at that! He is going to bring some cheers to your club.
nice edit on the pic there
Now the Sox have two CF that cannot hit. This is a nothing move. Worst eye in baseball.
Popular player. If he contributes half a WAR he’ll earn his salary. Good signing for the re-tooling Red Sox.
He has decent power, doesn’t strikeout much, but he’s been a mediocre hitter and doesn’t get on base much.
Nice. Excited to see him make the highlight reel here in Boston.
Sox should give a shot to 1B/OF Nick Longhi who just re-signed with them after a couple of years in the Reds system. His numbers will easily be better. than Pillar. He paid his dues in the minors eventhough he’s only 24.
Longhi doesn’t exactly rake in the minors. Doubtful he can hang with Pillar numbers-wise. Evidence to support your argument is extremely weak, like Longhi’s numbers.
Well now, this just makes this whole offseason and Mookie trade better doesn’t it?
Check out the Red Sox Luxury Tax situation for 2021 and beyond.
They reset “below” the Luxury Tax level for 2020.
They get 3 prospects for Betts and they unload Price for $48M.
Boston could pay Mookie the $426M (he wants) after this year?
Assuming Boston wanted to do this and thought Mookie was worth it.
They would have had to pay that to Mookie anyway if he was to stay right?
And they have 3 prospects for 1 year of Mookie’s time (potentially) and they dumped Price.
If the Dodger’s win a WS in 2020 then everyone is happy.
Except for the 2020 Red Sox fans. LOL.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vRHU26eqSx5Ei3OAlzcqYreTOpeAEpGIFmXkmcze-c76bh-lioOnk5iyXenZDM3bBpzm6Xp_iRFijdB/pubhtml
Except if they did against my team, the Yankees, of course lmao.
Except if they did against my team, the Yankees, of course lmao.
He ain’t coming back guys
Boston still will be paying for 50% of Price’s contract.
Love the spreadsheet !! Thank you for putting that together and sending it to us.
Like he’s going to replace Betts production. Not a chance
He’s not there to replace Betts production
What I really want to know is who the troll is that gave him an MVP vote last year lmao.
The same guy who didnt vote for jeter?
Didn’t know you can sign a guy 15 times
2019 Willie Mac award winner. Respect.
Pillar of the community. Darren Lewis version 2.0.
Good. another on field trash player to add to the off field trash of an organization.
Can’t believe the comments here. I never missed a Giants game all year and Pillar is AMAZING. Will really miss his diving catches, clutch at bats and smiling personality!! Red Sox got a great deal there.
kevin is amazing teammate great for club and good player
i saw him play for couple years in toronto