Kevin Pillar Hoping to Play in 2025
Pillar Eyes One More Season After Thumb Surgery
Veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar, who previously hinted at retirement, is now hoping to extend his MLB career for at least one more season.
Pillar, 36 in January, revealed his intentions during a recent appearance on MLB Network’s “Hot Stove” ( [link to video on X]). He also disclosed that he underwent thumb surgery at the end of the 2024 season.
“For the first time in probably forever, I was just playing for the love of the game, the joy of the game,” Pillar said, reflecting on his time with the Los Angeles Angels in 2024. “I wasn’t worried about tomorrow, the next day, my future. And I found a lot of success in that.”
After a slow start with the Chicago White Sox,Pillar found a renewed sense of purpose with the Angels,hitting seven home runs in 282 plate appearances and posting a respectable .236/.291/.378 slash line.
While he acknowledges that no team has offered him a contract yet,Pillar plans to stay in shape and remain available should an opportunity arise.
From Everyday Starter to Valuable Bench Option
At his peak, Pillar was a reliable everyday player, known for his strong defense and baserunning. From 2015 to 2021,he accumulated 10 wins above replacement across six full seasons and the shortened 2020 campaign.
In recent years, Pillar has transitioned into a more specialized role, primarily serving as a right-handed hitting bench outfielder. While his offensive production has dipped, he remains a capable defender and base runner.
A Potential Fit for Contenders
Pillar’s ability to hit left-handed pitching effectively (career 106 wRC+) makes him an attractive option for teams seeking right-handed outfield depth.
Several clubs,including the Red sox,Orioles,Diamondbacks,Phillies,Tigers,and others,coudl be in the market for a veteran outfielder like Pillar. He is unlikely to command a meaningful salary after earning $3 million from the White Sox in 2024.
Pillar joins a group of experienced outfielders,including Teoscar Hernández,Tyler O’Neill,Randal Grichuk,Ramón laureano,Austin Hays,and Tommy Pham,who are also seeking new homes for the 2025 season.
Pillar Eyes One More Season After Thumb Surgery
Veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar, who previously hinted at retirement, is now hoping to extend his MLB career for at least one more season. Pillar, 36 in January, revealed his intentions during a recent appearance on MLB Network’s “Hot Stove” . He also disclosed that he underwent thumb surgery at the end of the 2024 season.
“For the first time in probably forever, I was just playing for the love of the game, the joy of the game,” Pillar said, reflecting on his time with the Los Angeles angels in 2024. “I wasn’t worried about tomorrow, the next day, my future. And I found a lot of success in that.”
After a slow start with the Chicago White Sox, Pillar found a renewed sense of purpose with the Angels, hitting seven home runs in 282 plate appearances and posting a respectable .236/.291/.378 slash line.
While he acknowledges that no team has offered him a contract yet, Pillar plans to stay in shape and remain available should an prospect arise.
from Everyday Starter to Valuable Bench Option
At his peak, Pillar was a reliable everyday player, known for his strong defense and baserunning. From 2015 to 2021,he accumulated 10 wins above replacement across six full seasons and the shortened 2020 campaign.
In recent years, Pillar has transitioned into a more specialized role, primarily serving as a right-handed hitting bench outfielder. While his offensive production has dipped, he remains a capable defender and base runner.
A Potential Fit for Contenders
Pillar’s ability to hit left-handed pitching effectively (career 106 wRC+) makes him an attractive option for teams seeking right-handed outfield depth. Several clubs, including the Red Sox, orioles, diamondbacks, Phillies, Tigers, and others, could be in the market for a veteran outfielder like Pillar. He is unlikely to command a meaningful salary after earning $3 million from the White Sox in 2024.
Pillar joins a group of experienced outfielders, including Teoscar Hernández, Tyler O’Neill, Randal Grichuk, Ramón Laureano, Austin Hays, and Tommy Pham, who are also seeking new homes for the 2025 season.