Veteran free-agent outfielder Kevin Pillar (thumb) has changed his mind and is now keeping the door open to playing in 2025. "I've just had some time to reflect...I still enjoy doing it. I'm pretty sure I still want to play," Pillar said. He will be at the upcoming winter meetings in Dallas to look for a new team. The 35-year-old said back in the summer that he was pretty certain that the 2024 campaign would be his last in the big leagues, but he's had a change of heart since the season ended and he's had time to reflect on his career. If Pillar does play next season, he'll likely have to settle for a minor-league deal somewhere as he tries to make the Opening Day roster out of spring training as outfield depth. Having surgery on his left thumb early in the offseason won't help his cause. Pillar hit only .229 with eight homers, 45 RBI and 12 steals for the White Sox and Angels in 2024, but he excelled against left-handed pitching.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Kevin Pillar (thumb) was removed for a pinch-hitter late in the team's loss to the division-rival Texas Rangers on Sept. 6 and was placed on the 10-day injured list the next day with a left-thumb sprain. The Angels are holding out hope that Pillar can return before the end of the regular season, though, according to manager Ron Washington. However, Pillar still hadn't progressed to baseball activities as of Monday. The 35-year-old veteran is going to need to start improving soon if he wants to play again in 2024, but the out-of-contention Halos don't have any incentive to rush him back at this point. Pillar was brought in for outfield depth this year, mainly because of Mike Trout's (knee) injury, and he has provided a mediocre .251/.299/.396 slash line with a below-average .695 OPS, six home runs, 40 RBI and eight steals in his 76 games.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Kevin Pillar is generating plenty of interest on the trade market. Pillar is 35 and has said he plans to retire after the season ends, so this would give him a chance to finish his career on a contender. He's had a really nice season for the Angels, slashing .287/.343/.481 with seven homers and nine steals in 181 at-bats. He likely would be a fourth outfielder on a contender, but he's a great piece to have as a late-inning defensive sub or pinch runner who can also hit a bit if needed. He likely doesn't need to be rostered in most fantasy leagues though, regardless of who he ends up going to.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Kevin Pillar went 3-for-4 with three RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base in Saturday's 9-3 win over the Royals. It was the 35-year-old's second three-hit game in his last four, so perhaps things are looking up for the veteran in what has been an otherwise forgetful beginning to the season. Through May 5, Pillar was batting .161 but this four-game stretch has raised his season average to .261 as he's logged just 12 starts in 2024 and has come in as a pinch-hitter, pinch-runner, or defensive replacement 12 times. The recent outburst is nice to see for Pillar, but you're still staying away for fantasy unless he can get more regular at-bats.
The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a one-year contract with outfielder Kevin Pillar. With Mike Trout (knee) headed for surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, the Halos make a move to supply their outfield with some depth and a veteran presence. Pillar appeared in 17 games for the Chicago White Sox in the 2024 regular season before getting designated for assignment, slashing just .160/.290/.360 with one home run, four RBI, and two stolen bases across 32 plate appearances. The lefty-hitting Mickey Moniak is primed for a near-everyday role in center field on the strong side of a platoon with Trout sidelined, leaving Pillar to battle with fellow veteran Aaron Hicks for at-bats in Anaheim's outfield. The 35-year-old former Toronto Blue Jay isn't likely to make a big impact from a fantasy perspective, however, so Pillar can be left on waiver wires for now.
The Chicago White Sox released infielder Mike Moustakas and outfielder Kevin Pillar on Friday. Moustakas was released after slashing a weak .195/.283/.317 with a home run and two RBI in 41 Cactus League at-bats for Chicago after signing a minor-league deal with the team on Feb. 14. The 35-year-old left-handed-hitting veteran is nearing the end of his career. The three-time All-Star hit .247/.293/.392 with 12 home runs and 48 RBI in 112 games with the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Angels in his 13th big-league campaign. Pillar, who is also 35, went 11-for-44 in the Cactus League with five RBI. He hit .228/.248/.416 with nine home runs, 32 RBI and four steals in 81 games with the Atlanta Braves in 2023. Moustakas and Pillar will be looking to latch on with another team in reserve roles with the season starting next week.
The Chicago White Sox signed free-agent outfielder Kevin Pillar to a minor-league deal on Friday, according to a source. Pillar will make $3 million if he's on the major-league roster. The 35-year-old veteran hit .228/.248/.416 with nine home runs in 208 plate appearances for the Atlanta Braves in 2023. He's no longer the plus-plus defensive center fielder he once was, but he still rated well defensive in the corner outfield spots last year. The rebuilding White Sox may offer more playing time for Pillar, but at best, he'll likely be in some sort of platoon in right field with Oscar Colas. Pillar can be ignored in mixed fantasy leagues in 2024. He has only reached the 20-steal and 20-homer marks once in his 11-year big-league career.
Kevin Pillar Getting The Start Versus Lefty Monday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Kevin Pillar is in the starting lineup Monday versus the Colorado Rockies and left-hander Austin Gomber. Starts have been few and far between for the veteran as part of a loaded Braves offense while he has largely struggled against left-handed pitching this season. He's provided power against lefties with four homers, five doubles, and a .205 isolated power across 86 plate appearances versus southpaws this season but his .702 OPS, 2.3% BB%, and 81 wRC+ off lefties all leave plenty to be desired. Nonetheless, he will get the start in left field and hit eighth versus Gomber in the hitter-friendly Coors Field Monday in Colorado.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Kevin Pillar stole his first base of the season in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the visiting Miami Marlins. Pillar finished the day 1-for-2 with an RBI, a run scored and a walk as well. The 34-year-old's work on the defense should continue to earn him playing time in Atlanta, but it will be harder to come by now that Michael Harris II (back) has returned from the injured list. When Pillar does play, he'll likely remain near the bottom of the team's lineup, limiting his fantasy upside in DFS. Over his first 14 games and 47 plate appearances this season, Pillar is hitting .227 (10-for-44) with two doubles, a homer, five RBI, one stolen base and just four runs scored.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Kevin Pillar is not in the starting lineup for the first game of a series against the Miami Marlins on Monday. Pillar has seen everyday playing time in the last week, even against right-handed pitching, but he'll take a seat in this one. Eddie Rosario will get the start in left field and will hit fifth, while Marcell Ozuna is serving as the designated hitter and is batting seventh against Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera. Pillar has seen more playing time for the Braves due to Ozuna's struggles at the plate, but the 34-year-old veteran outfielder hasn't done much better himself, hitting .211 (8-for-38) with a double, home run, three RBI and three runs scored over 40 plate appearances in 12 games.
