On Tuesday, the Toronto Blue Jays announced that they were trading their longest-tenured player, outfielder Kevin Pillar, to the San Francisco Giants. In exchange, the Blue Jays received right-handers Juan De Paula and Derek Law, along with recently designated infielder Alen Hanson.
Thank you for everything, @KPILLAR4. You will always be our Superman. #ManOfSteal pic.twitter.com/Ddlf6PW0Pp
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 2, 2019
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
The best get for the Blue Jays was certainly De Paula, who was ranked as the Giants No. 19 prospect. The 21-year-old posted a 1.72 ERA in 52.1 innings at Single-A last season with a 9.5 K/9. With Pillar leaving Toronto, No. 5 prospect Anthony Alford now appears poised for a shot at the everyday starting center field job. And worst case scenario, if Alford doesn't seem ready, the Blue Jays could move Randal Grichuk over to center and have Teoscar Hernandez and Billy McKinney play the corners.
Welcome to the orange & black, Kevin Pillar!#SFGiants pic.twitter.com/jX1q0aPmos
— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) April 2, 2019
🔸 2015 Wilson Defensive Player of the year for CF
— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) April 2, 2019
🔸 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.
On the flip side of the trade, the Giants add another veteran reinforcement to their young outfield. Outfielder Michael Reed was designated for assignment to clear a spot for Pillar on the 40-man roster. Now, San Francisco's new outfield will probably consist of Steven Duggar moving from center to left, Pillar taking over at center and Gerardo Parra playing right field. The Giants will also have an off the bench option in Connor Joe.
Pillar, 30, hit .252/.282/.426 in 2018. He is owed $5.8 million for the 2019 season, and he has one more year of arbitration eligibility. He's is 1 for 16 through the first five games this season, and while he probably won't make a big offensive impact on the Giants lineup, it's Pillar's elite defense that will be a bigger help for. I'm sure Giants fans are hoping they'll get a chance to see some of his highlight-reel catches in 2019.
More than anything, Pillar will bring experience with him to rebuilding San Francisco, as he's entering his seventh year in the majors. Pillar's veteran mentorship is going to be crucial for Duggar and Joe, who have a total of 51 MLB games between them.