METS SIGN OF KEVIN PILLAR TO A ONE-YEAR DEAL

FLUSHING, N.Y., February 21, 2021 — The New York Mets today announced that the club has signed outfielder Kevin Pillar to a one-year deal. In a corresponding move, outfielder Guillermo Heredia was designated for assignment.

The 6–0, 200-pounder split the 2020 season between the Red Sox and Rockies and hit a combined .288/.336/.462 with 34 runs, 12 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 26 RBI and five steals. The right-handed hitter batted .342 (26–76) with a .969 OPS against southpaws last season.

Pillar has played parts of eight years in the major leagues with the Blue Jays, Giants, Red Sox and Rockies. He owns a career .262/.299/.408 slash line with 419 runs, 205 doubles, 13 triples, 82 home runs, 344 RBI and 88 steals. He owns a .286/.320/.464 slash line against left-handed pitching.

Prior to the 2020 season, Pillar had played in at least 140 games in five consecutive seasons. He was a Gold Glove Award finalist each season from 2015–2017. Since 2015, Pillar is tied for 10th among major league outfielders with 50 defensive runs saved according to FanGraphs. In addition, since 2018, he owns the 10th-highest BsR (FanGraphs’ all-encompassing base-running metric) among qualified hitters at 12.4.

The 32-year-old was originally selected by Toronto in the 32nd round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of California State University, Dominguez Hills.