Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Updated 11:25 p.m. 2/15/21
According to MLB Network‘s Jon Heyman, Kevin Pillar’s contract is $5 million guaranteed, with the potential to become a two-year deal worth up to $10 million.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com was the first to report the structure of Pillar’s contract.
Kevin Pillar’s deal with the Mets is structured as follows, per source:
2021: $3.6M
2022:
$2.9M player option (no buyout)
$6.4M club option ($1.4M buyout)So Pillar either gets 1/$5M, 2/$6.5M or 2/$10M depending on the option. Mets’ CBT hit this year will be $3.25M.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) February 16, 2021
Original Post:
Remember in Moneyball when Jonah Hill’s character said to replace Jason Giambi with three players that have similar on-base-percentages?
That’s what the Mets are doing… maybe.
After missing out on George Springer and signing outfielder Albert Almora Jr., the orange and blue have now added another weapon to the mix, that being Kevin Pillar on a one-year major league deal. Pillar spent his 2020 campaign with the Boston Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies and was a star with the Toronto Blue Jays from 2013-2018.
For a team that needs some more outfield help, Pillar adds some depth to the bench. He’s most definitely not the same defensive phenom he was earlier in his career, but he’s still serviceable in the corner outfield positions, posting positive DRS numbers throughout at both positions in 2020.
Pillar, who is not usually known for his hitting, performs especially well against the left-hander; his career stat line against left-handed pitchers is .286/.320/.464. In 2020 alone, Pillar racked up 26 hits and five walks in just 82 plate appearances against southpaws.
It isn’t yet known who would be removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Pillar, but the most likely scenario would be for Jose Martinez or Almora to see some time in the minors.
