TODAY: The Rangers announced that Pillar has been released after clearing waivers.
MAY 25: The Rangers announced a trio of moves, including the previously reported news of outfield prospect Alejandro Osuna joining the active roster and DH Joc Pederson being placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right hand fracture. To create space on the 40-man roster for Osuna’s contract selection, Texas designated outfielder Kevin Pillar for assignment.
Pillar signed a minor league contract with the Rangers this past winter, and some injuries to other outfielders opened the door for Pillar to make the Opening Day roster. Playing mostly in center field with some addition time in both corner outfield slots, Pillar’s contributions have been almost entirely on the defensive side, as he has batted only .209/.209/.265 over 43 plate appearances. He also missed a little over two weeks of action due to a bad back that required a stint on the 10-day IL.
Sam Haggerty’s emergence as the new everyday center fielder and the Rangers’ decision to call up Osuna left Pillar as the odd man out, even with Texas still missing some notable names on the injured list. Evan Carter has been on the IL for a week due to a Grade 2 strain of his right quad, but despite that more severe variety of strain, Carter may be on track for a relatively quick return. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy told reporters (including Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News) yesterday that Carter may be able to start a minor league rehab assignment by next weekend, as Carter is already doing running drills and has been cleared for live batting practice.
Pillar has now played for 10 different teams over the course of his 1234 career games and 13 seasons in the big leagues. One of the game’s top defensive center fielders back during his heyday with the Blue Jays, Pillar has carved out a lengthy career as a part-time or fourth outfielder, despite a lack of production at the plate (i.e. a .255/.293/.405 career slash line).
Because Pillar has been previously outrighted in his career, he has the right to elect free agency if he clears waivers and the Rangers try to outright him to Triple-A. It could be that Pillar will accept such an assignment and bide his time waiting for his next chance on the Texas roster, or he might explore his options to see if another club can offer a clearer path to big league playing time. It also isn’t out of the question that Pillar may consider hanging up his cleats for good, as the 36-year-old strongly considered retiring last season before deciding to return for the 2025 campaign.
Not saying they should, but this smells like Pirates.
He was good in 2015, so basically yeah.
I was a fan of Pillar, until he participated in that “thumbs down” nonsense when he was in NY.
Get him Preller!
Go Pads!
Why do I think the Reds will sign him next?
This one belongs to the Reds
Dodgers could use him, DFA Conforto. Pillar hitting 50 points higher, strikes out way less.
Most of his contract is already paid as a signing bonus. Probably only owed about $6mil. They just DFAed Taylor who was owed more than that.
I find comfort-o in that.
So glad he’s stinking up the blue bums.
“I find comfort-o”…People think Scott Boras does his best work on the long-term deal guys, but how he got Conforto $15M+ is astounding to me. Conforto hasn’t been any good since he left New York and that’s being rather kind.
Dodgers had him 3 years ago. He hit .083.
Could be getting a call from the Braves
Right!
The Rangers cant hit since winning the WS. They hit a ton in ’23.
They are getting great pitching too.
when he decides to hang it up, he should be proud of the career that he carved out as a 32nd round draft pick. Pillar is an example of a player who got most out of his talents due to grit and desire. nothing but respect.
The dude has a ton of heart and has the intangibles. Kevin is always a good dude to have in your clubhouse, he seems to be loved by all his teammates. I definitely enjoyed his time in San Francisco.
Pillar would be a good addition for a younger team lacking leadership like the white sox or pirates.
Pillar always raked for me in “MLB The Show”, so maybe I’m not the best guy to ask about his future and present. If it were up to me, this guy could play until he’s eligible for Social Security.
Nah, I think this is the end for Kev. He’ll likely get a couple more minor league deals, but I would be surprised if we saw him in the show again.
Really solid career, not many guys play 1,000+ games in the MLB. Not great at taking a good route to the ball, but found a way to compensate with some pretty slick diving catches. A little more power or plate discipline would have helped, but he was fun to watch and seemed like a really good dude when you saw him interviewed or around his teammates
Pillar had a good time with the Angels, maybe he goes back with them.
According to BBR this year’s Rangers contract gives him 10.072 years Service Time.
I think hechad already hit the mark last July.