Giants to non-tender Kevin Pillar, per report

In one of the more surprising decisions this evening, the San Francisco Giants have opted to non-tender the contract of outfielder Kevin Pillar, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Pillar landed with the Giants in 2019 after an early-season trade sent him from Toronto to San Francisco. In total this past season, Pillar appeared in 161 games, slashing .259/.287/.432 with 88 RBI on 158 hits, including 21 homers. He stole 14 bases on 19 attempts while walking just 18 times and striking out 89. Pillar did receive one late vote for MVP, but it was more of a respect vote as it did not include placing him in the top five of candidates. He ended up finishing 22nd in voting.

Pillar has never been an All-Star but he’s shown off his glove work on numerous occasions, going all out to make stellar, mind-boggling plays. It’s too early to use out the Giants not bringing him back on a lesser pact, but it seems more likely he finds a new home with one of the other 29 teams willing to pay him what the Giants are refusing to.

Teams such as the Mets, Yankees, Braves, and Marlins are just a few of the clubs who could be in on Pillar, while I also wouldn’t rule out a return to Toronto. As always, this is just step one in what will suddenly be a busy offseason for Pillar full of negotiations and rumors. Let the Kevin Pillar sweepstakes begin.