*Photo from Rox Pile*
After missing out on top CF George Springer, the New York Mets pivoted in a less expensive direction. The Mets have signed OF Kevin Pillar to a one year, $5 million deal, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. There is a player option for the 2022 season worth $2.5 million. The Mets have confirmed the deal.
Pillar spent the 2020 season with the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies, with an average of .288 with a .798 OPS, hitting 6 homers and driving in 26 runs in 54 games played during the regular season. Across his 8 year major league career, Pillar has an average of .262 with a .707 OPS, hitting 82 homers and driving in 344 runs in 905 games played.
Pillar has always been a defensive first outfielder, as seen by his several highlight reel catches throughout his career. He posted a career high 11 outs above average(OAA) with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016, but hasn't really gotten near that total since. In the last few years, Pillar has picked up his ability to hit a little more, hitting 21 homers with the San Francisco Giants in 2019.
Pillar is almost a sure bet to play against left handed pitchers, with his OPS against lefties sitting at .784, which is over 100 points higher than his .678 OPS against right handers. Pillar's ability to play all 3 outfield positions also gives him the best shot at more playing time, being able to sub in late in games, or switch positions in the event of an in game injury.
Pillar's signing will take the Mets out of the running for CF Jackie Bradley Jr, as Pillar joins a Mets outfield that features Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, Dominic Smith, and Albert Almora, with Jeff McNeil also able to draw starts in the outfield when necessary.
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