The Toronto Blue Jays have traded outfielder Kevin Pillar to free up a roster spot and cash.
Pillar, the longest-tenured player on the Blue Jays, went to the San Francisco Giants for three prospects. Pillar was not part of the future in Toronto. This trade freed up money for another move they announced after this trade was finalized.
Welcome to the orange & black, Kevin Pillar!#SFGiants pic.twitter.com/jX1q0aPmos
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) April 2, 2019
What Kevin Pillar Brings to the Giants
In Pillar, the Giants get a 30-year-old center fielder with a career .260 batting average, 55 home runs, and 231 RBI. Pillar was not traded for his offense. The Giants want his defensive skills anchoring their outfield. Oracle Park is very spacious, especially towards right-center field, and Pillar’s defense was the key element in this trade for the Giants. Pillar is among the elite defensive center fielders in the game, always in consideration for the Gold Glove Award.
🔸 2015 Wilson Defensive Player of the year for CF
🔸 2015, 2016 & 2017 Gold Glove Award Finalist
🔸 Since 2015, @KPILLAR4's 56 defensive runs saved in the outfield are the 5th-most in the big leagues.— SFGiants (@SFGiants) April 2, 2019
What the Blue Jays Get
The Blue Jays have now opened up a spot in the outfield for their number five prospect, Anthony Alford. Alford figures to get an extended look in center field as the Blue Jays continue to build their team around young players. The top player received from the Giants is Juan De Paula, a right-handed pitcher who is ranked 19th in the Giants minor league system.
OFFICIAL: We've acquired INF Alen Hanson, RHP Derek Law and RHP Juan De Paula from the @SFGiants in exchange for OF Kevin Pillar. pic.twitter.com/rq5c1Vu58M
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 2, 2019
Blue Jays Extend Randal Grichuk
In a busy day for the Blue Jays, they later announced a five-year contract extension for outfielder Randal Grichuk. The extension for the 27-year-old confirms that he will be part of the rebuild. A five-year, $52 million contract is very reasonable and allows Toronto to still have the flexibility to sign players or trade Grichuk if there are other needs.
Outfielder Randal Grichuk is in agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays on a five-year, $52 million extension, a league source familiar with the deal tells ESPN. Grichuk was set to be a free agent after the 2020 season. @ShiDavidi had the agreement first.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 2, 2019
Blue Jays Outlook
While all of baseball is waiting for the any-day-now arrival of mega-prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alford is getting the first crack. As the top-ranked outfielder in the Blue Jays system, Alford should see plenty of playing time.
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