Former Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants outfielder Kevin Pillar is now a free agent after he was non-tendered by the San Francisco Giants last night. The promising outfielder has competed for gold gloves with the best of them until he was traded shortly after the 2019 season kicked off.
The 30-year-old had a pretty decent season. In 161 games, he hit .259 with 21 home runs and 88 RBI. He also tallied 14 stolen bases as well as a .719 OPS. It was one of the handful of surprising moves at last night’s non-tender deadline, and one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
By now, everyone knows the narrative that cheap and affordability is the gameplan. If the Red Sox do decide to pull the trigger on a Mookie Betts or Jackie Bradley, Jr. trade, he would supply as a great defensive replacement or even just good depth in a tricky outfield.
The Red Sox have the roster space after they traded catcher Sandy Leon and non-tendered Marco Hernandez and Josh Osich. This leaves the team with 34 players on their 40 man roster. With the Rule 5 draft approaching, it looks like they plan to dive in for the first time in three seasons.
What we are starting to witness is the Chaim Bloom transition. He has deconstructed the roster almost to his liking, and now it’s time to watch him build it back up. Look out, Sox fans. The offseason has just gotten started.
