Blue Jays: Kevin Pillar traded to the San Francisco Giants

The Blue Jays made yet another early season trade, sending Kevin Pillar to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for three minor leaguers.

It’s been widely discussed throughout the offseason and into the first few games of the 2019 campaign, but Kevin Pillar has finally been traded according to the Blue Jays Twitter account.

The San Francisco Giants sent three minor leaguers to Toronto in order to acquire the veteran centre fielder, including Alen Hanson, Derek Law, and Juan De Paula. None of the trio are expected to become premium big leaguers, but it’s still a decent return for the 30 year.

Pillar has long been widely debated in terms of his value on the field. He’s well known for his defensive heroics in centre field, regularly throwing his body into harms way in order to make an extra out, and get himself on the highlight reel regularly. The blue collar attitude was always welcomed with open arms, and he was always an asset on defence.

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Unfortunately his bat never produced the way that many folks hoped he would. He seemed to make an annual tradition out of starting the season by giving fans hope about his offence, but would regress to his career norms throughout the course of the year.

That doesn’t mean you have to be an ace hitter in order to provide value, and the Giants clearly see something they like in the California native. He’ll provide needed defence in the huge outfield in San Francisco, and perhaps he’ll finally take a step forward at the plate against NL pitching.

Pillar has started the season with a tough stretch at the plate, but you can’t blame him if he’s been a little distracted with the rumours surrounding his name. It got even worse when Anthony Alford was called up prior to Opening Day, and then mysteriously didn’t play. My guess is that had something to do with a trade for Pillar that took an extra week to get done.

In the mean time the Blue Jays will turn to their younger options in the outfield, and that likely means we’re about to see the start of Anthony Alford’s tenure in Toronto. For many Blue Jays fans. that’s music to their ears.