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White Sox, Kevin Pillar Agree To Minor League Deal

By Anthony Franco | February 2, 2024 at 6:54pm CDT

The White Sox are in agreement with outfielder Kevin Pillar on a minor league contract, reports MLBTR’s Steve Adams (X link). The All Bases Covered Sports Management client would be paid at a $3MM rate if he cracks the major league roster.

Pillar spent the 2023 season in Atlanta. The veteran outfielder inked a non-roster deal with the Braves last winter and cracked the MLB team out of camp. He spent the entire season on the big league club in a reserve outfield capacity. The 11-year MLB veteran appeared in half of Atlanta’s games. He hit .228/.248/.416 through 206 trips to the plate.

The righty-hitting Pillar connected on nine home runs and 10 doubles in a fairly limited sample. A minuscule 2.9% walk rate and a .255 average on balls in play led to a very low on-base mark. That’s the profile Pillar has had throughout his career. He has had a sub-.300 OBP in five of the past six seasons, but he’s reached 15 homers in four different campaigns.

Early in his career, Pillar was one of the sport’s preeminent defensive outfielders. He posted plus defensive marks over his first three-plus seasons, working as a regular center fielder for the Blue Jays. Those grades dipped in 2018-19 as Pillar neared his 30th birthday. He has seen increasing action in the corners in recent years. Pillar started 40 games in the corner outfield while getting the nod in center on three occasions a season ago.

The White Sox have Luis Robert Jr. locked into center and will give Andrew Benintendi a rebound opportunity in left. There’s a vacancy in right field, where the Sox got a dismal .219/.271/.344 showing. Oscar Colás and Gavin Sheets still stand as the top in-house options despite rough 2023 campaigns. Both players hit left-handed, so Pillar could battle for a short-side platoon role. He owns a roughly average .272/.298/.494 slash against southpaws over the past five seasons.

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Chicago White Sox Transactions Kevin Pillar

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View Comments (67)
Post a Comment

67 Comments

  1. Mr. E Team

    1 year ago

    A scoop Mr. Adams!

    3
    Reply
    • DonOsbourne

      1 year ago

      Steve is working toward a job in the new White Sox front office.

      Reply
    • roob

      1 year ago

      Well, he’s now the White Sox 2nd best outfielder.

      2
      Reply
  2. DonOsbourne

    1 year ago

    I still like Grichuk better, but this makes more sense than Dom Smith. The White Sox could always use another glove.

    3
    Reply
    • bigdaddyt

      1 year ago

      What is this the 2017 blue jays?

      Reply
    • its_happening

      1 year ago

      Signing Josh Donaldson next? Is Aaron Sanchez available too?

      3
      Reply
    • Jack Hoffman

      1 year ago

      Dom Smith? What does he even have to do with this?

      Reply
      • its_happening

        1 year ago

        Another article stating White Sox are interested in Dom Smith.

        Go back to sleep.

        8
        Reply
  3. User 4095290658

    1 year ago

    One more down in the MA Taylor chase.

    Reply
  4. User 1855579867

    1 year ago

    Surprising. On a per AB basis, he is a Joc Pederson comp.

    1
    Reply
  5. MacGromit

    1 year ago

    So much for the O’s getting a no hitter v the White Sox this year. Kryptonite.

    2
    Reply
  6. Logjammer D"Baggagecling

    1 year ago

    Leo’s Brother is heating up the stove on his own. Minor league deals but still he’s starting to sign players

    1
    Reply
    • IronBallsMcGinty

      1 year ago

      Hopefully if he completes all his chores, Grandpa Jerry will increase his allowance next year.

      2
      Reply
    • PutPeteinthehall

      1 year ago

      Unfortunately Chris Getz what’s left in the dumpster after it’s already been emptied. Stuck to the bottom Getz.

      Reply
  7. shane

    1 year ago

    This guy has carved out a nice career so far. Hopefully he can crack the big league roster

    Reply
    • Spotswood

      1 year ago

      Anyone that stays in the league 11 years deserves respect. Having said that, a corner OF with a career OPS+ 87 nad only once recorded a +wRC over 100… add in average defense, I don’t get it.

      4
      Reply
    • Whifff

      1 year ago

      Thank goodness the White Sox found another player that never walks. He will fit right in.

      1
      Reply
      • Aiden Awe

        1 year ago

        They were ranked dead last in walks last season.

        1
        Reply
  8. bjhaas1977

    1 year ago

    Love this guy!

    Reply
  9. Rsox

    1 year ago

    Pillar had a nice year for the Braves last year. Could be a valuable 4th Outfielder for the ChiSox

    2
    Reply
    • roob

      1 year ago

      He’s their best after Robert. Not 4th.

      2
      Reply
    • Mustard Tiger

      1 year ago

      -0.1 WAR is a nice year? Good grief. You need to raise your standards.

      2
      Reply
      • Alvo Sumatro

        1 year ago

        Thsts a meaningless number because the stadium wasn’t adjusted for Kevin’s style of play.

        Reply
      • roob

        1 year ago

        No. The White Sox do.

        1
        Reply
  10. Dubbs

    1 year ago

    Such a gamer. A hard nosed player with all heart and guts that’s why he keeps getting jobs. That .OBP tho woof

    5
    Reply
    • Jack Hoffman

      1 year ago

      A gamer? Dude is soft.

      Reply
      • its_happening

        1 year ago

        Pillar is soft? You sure you can back up your claim?

        Reply
      • Dubbs

        1 year ago

        He got hit square in the face with a 94 mph fastball and exactly two weeks later after undergoing facial surgery to repair multiple nose fractures he came back and played. Yeah, he’s a gamer and you have no idea what you’re talking about.

        9
        Reply
        • its_happening

          1 year ago

          Saw enough plays in Toronto to know Pillar is/was a gamer. Given where he was drafted he’s got that dog in him.

          5
          Reply
  11. msqboxer

    1 year ago

    If Pillar and his $3M contract makes the club…I will burn all my CWS gear.

    Reply
    • Mustard Tiger

      1 year ago

      Be sure to post a video on YouTube when you do.

      3
      Reply
    • roob

      1 year ago

      Send me the video after he’s in the opening day lineup.

      2
      Reply
  12. southi

    1 year ago

    Oh no, I was wanting him to sign with Atlanta again as a backup outfielder and a right-handed complement to Kelenic.
    I think it is a good signing for the White Sox.

    1
    Reply
  13. dano62

    1 year ago

    Every signing they’ve made is Quad-A team level… Getz getting a bubble team together for old times sakes.

    2
    Reply
    • IronBallsMcGinty

      1 year ago

      Indeed. Nobody can say that Getz hasn’t been active this off season.

      Reply
      • Aiden Awe

        1 year ago

        Probably the most aggressive white Sox off-season in a long time.

        Reply
        • avenger65

          1 year ago

          Aiden: It’s sad that you don’t realize that being aggressive by signing a lot of garbage players instead of signing a handful of good players to start the team’s rebuild are two different things.

          2
          Reply
        • Aiden Awe

          1 year ago

          I know the difference. Every team signs garbage players on minor league deals. The player development is the reason why the last rebuild failed. Why would they rebuild if the last one failed, it doesn’t make sense whatsoever. All the Sox are trying this off-season is adding as much depth as possible.

          Reply
        • mattv

          1 year ago

          The player development failed the last rebuild, so now the guy who was in charge of developing player failed up to be the GM, where he seems to place zero value on offense.

          1
          Reply
        • Aiden Awe

          1 year ago

          I hope Chris is better than Rick Hahn as a GM. At least somebody else took over player devlopement.

          1
          Reply
        • Aiden Awe

          1 year ago

          *Active. I accidentally used the wrong word.

          Reply
        • roob

          1 year ago

          Depth implies backups. But, they don’t have anyone better than the crappy players they’ve been trading for and signing.

          1
          Reply
        • Aiden Awe

          1 year ago

          At the same time they don’t have anything valuable to trade minus Cease or Robert. Cease will most likely be traded at the trade deadline. They plan on keeping Robert. If I have to grade Chris Getz’s first off-season I would probably give him a C or a D. Off-season isn’t over quite yet.

          Reply
  14. Augusto Barojas

    1 year ago

    A guy who just turned 35 and has not posted a WAR over 1 in a season since 2018… sounds like a White Sox to me!

    Getz proving beyond a doubt that he learned well from his dimwitted predecessor.

    3
    Reply
    • Braves_saints_celts

      1 year ago

      It’s a minor league signing, y’all people crack me up.

      3
      Reply
      • mattv

        1 year ago

        If you follow the White Sox, you know these are the only signings they make – they’re all we have to react to.

        2
        Reply
    • avenger65

      1 year ago

      Augusto: There was nothing wrong with Hahn. If Reinsdorf had given him any money at all, he would have been able to sign quality players. Instead, with his hands tied, all he had the money for was to sign one reject after another.

      Reply
      • CluHaywood

        1 year ago

        Nah, there was plenty wrong with Hahn, especially when you consoder him and Kenny fought over control until the very end.

        1
        Reply
        • FrankEttingChiSox

          1 year ago

          Knucklehead Hahn had, at peak, the 7th highest paid roster in MLB. The money was there – he just chose to spend it all on relievers that played like garbage rather than fix the obvious holes at 2B and RF.

          1
          Reply
  15. Alvo Sumatro

    1 year ago

    Good, and borderline hall of Fame track.

    1
    Reply
  16. Atlanta Jack

    1 year ago

    This team starting with the owner on down is an embarrassment to all White Sox fans.

    1
    Reply
    • PutPeteinthehall

      1 year ago

      SMH. Know you’re right. Tough to admit. At least I won’t bother to go to the rate next season. Rather go to Milwaukee and see a game then close Wolski’s. (Milwaukee people know what I mean)

      Reply
  17. Blackpink in the area

    1 year ago

    Trade idea I was running through the simulator last night

    Cease
    Robert
    Santos

    For

    Armstrong
    Horton
    Cassie
    Wicks
    Rojas

    White Sox get 3 top 50 prospects which is almost unheard of these days plus Wicks who is a high floor back end starter and a lottery ticket in Rivas. Cubs become instant division favorites and legit contenders.

    1
    Reply
    • IronBallsMcGinty

      1 year ago

      It seems the simulator is on the fritz.

      1
      Reply
      • Blackpink in the area

        1 year ago

        Looks like a fair trade to me.

        1
        Reply
        • avenger65

          1 year ago

          Black pink: Gee, I wonder why another misguided, Polly Anna cubs fan would think that’s a good trade, that having Cease in a cub uniform (wait! I need a moment to vomit at the thought of Cease in cubs pajamas) will win them the WS. 2016 is over. Theo is long gone. It ain’t happening again.

          1
          Reply
        • Blackpink in the area

          1 year ago

          Dude I am a Cardinal fan lol.

          Cubs have tons of prospects. White Sox need prospects.

          1
          Reply
    • mattv

      1 year ago

      Not enough for Robert by himself

      2
      Reply
  18. gotigers68

    1 year ago

    Should hit more dingers in Chicago.

    Reply
  19. Bryzzo2016

    1 year ago

    These clowns aren’t even pretending to try any more. I thought Pillar retired.

    Another long summer on the south side. Their fans deserve so much better.

    1
    Reply
    • avenger65

      1 year ago

      Isn’t Kevin Pillar also David Pillar? I think they’re the same person.

      1
      Reply
    • DeepDownSouth

      1 year ago

      Citizens of Chicago deserve better too from that state of Illinois other than baseball. I love how they setting up the intruders better than they treat their own citizens. I wish the City of Chicago would stop pretending we matter, I mean they showing us we don’t

      Reply
  20. brushbackmlb

    1 year ago

    Solid 4th outfielder option, hopefully veteran leadership too. Tough defender type like Aaron Rowand. Not expecting much offensively.

    1
    Reply
  21. bmann300

    1 year ago

    Article got it wrong!!! It’s Kevin Millar! At lease that’s what Getz said!!!

    1
    Reply
  22. snoopy369

    1 year ago

    Ugh, how many players with no OBP can the White Sox roster …

    1
    Reply
    • Aiden Awe

      1 year ago

      Nicky Lopez and Kevin Pillar are decent hitters at best.

      Reply
  23. DeepDownSouth

    1 year ago

    Oh my the crybaby White Sox fans weeping never ends. They been crying so long about this ownership is amazing they don’t become CubbyBear fans. It be a lift for our White Six team to lose those losers who do nothing but cry & complain.

    1
    Reply

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