Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets announced Sunday night that they have officially signed outfielder Kevin Pillar to a one-year pact. In a corresponding move, the team designated outfielder Guillermo Heredia for assignment.
Pillar, 32, split the shortened 2020 season between the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies, and logged a triple slash of .288/.336/.462 with a career high 106 wRC+ and .341 wOBA. The California native was also worth 1.1 fWAR.
In the field, Pillar had -2 defensive runs saved (DRS), but a 1.7 ultimate zone range (UZR) in 403.1 innings split mostly between center and right field. His outs above average (11th percentile) and outfielder jump (30th percentile) according to Baseball Savant also leave something to be desired. However, they were better in 2019, ranking in the 74th percentile and 51st percentile, respectively.
Pillar does bring to the table some speed on the base paths, and doesn’t strike out a ton, though he doesn’t hit for much power as he has 82 career home runs across eight seasons with a .707 career OPS.
Pillar will wear No. 11 with New York, and is represented by the All Bases Covered agency.
Heredia, 30, was originally picked up off waivers by the Mets on Aug. 28 from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
During his time in New York, Heredia appeared in just seven games, but hit two home runs in 17 at-bats.
Across 397 games over five years and four different ballclubs, Heredia has 10 DRS, but a -6.5 UZR in 2,626.2 career innings, primarily playing center field, but has had more success over in right.
Heredia is also a speedster, as he ranked in the 78th percentile by Baseball Savant in sprint speed during the 2019 season, while his outfield jump was in the 97th percentile.
The Cuba native can become a free agent in 2024, and has one minor league option left.
