Former Blue Jays fan favorite signs minor league deal with Rangers

While the Toronto Blue Jays had a busy offseason when it came to adjusting their current roster, there were plenty of former Blue Jays who had some trouble securing a job for 2025. But as spring training has gotten here, some of those former Jays have been able to find a home.

Justin Turner landed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Chicago Cubs, while Rowdy Tellez latched on with the Seattle Mariners on a minor league deal with an invite to training camp.

You can now add Kevin Pillar to that list, as he signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers over the weekend. Pillar had considered retirement after last year, but eventually decided to keep playing for at least one more season.

Former Blue Jays fan favorite inks minor league deal with Rangers

Known as “Superman” during his time with the Blue Jays, Pillar provided Blue Jays fans with countless memories thanks to his amazing plays in the outfield over the course of seven seasons.

In 695 career games with Toronto, he compiled a .260 batting average and .692 OPS, to go along with 303 runs scored, 156 doubles, 55 home runs, 231 RBI and 69 stolen bases. More importantly, Pillar was a major part of the Jays’ two postseason runs in 2015 and 2016.

Since being traded to the Giants in April 2019, Pillar has made stops in San Francisco, Boston, Colorado, New York (Mets), Los Angeles (Dodgers), Atlanta, Chicago (White Sox) and the Angels.

After moving shifting into more of a reserve role recently, the 36-year-old outfielder was a significant part of the Angels’ lineup in 2024 when they were hit with injury woes. In 83 games with Los Angeles, Pillar batted .236 with seven home runs, 41 RBI and 10 stolen bases.

That showing was the best non-Blue Jays season in Pillar's career. The only other one that stands out is when he hit .231 with 15 home runs with the Mets in 2021.

That solid showing is likely what convinced the Rangers to take the chance and give Pillar one more kick at the can. In agreeing to the minor league deal, Pillar was given an invite to spring training to prove his worth once again.

While the Rangers have a stacked outfield, Pillar could fit into the picture thanks to his dominance against left-handed pitching. Pillar slashed .310/.351/.500 against southpaws last year, and could sub in for center fielder Evan Carter, who hit just .189 against left-handed hitting last year.