Five months ago, outfielder Kevin Pillar planned to hang up his cleats after the 2024 season. But, Pillar, who will turn 36 in January, has decided to postpone his retirement.
“I’ve just had some time to reflect and I still enjoy doing it,” Pillar said on Monday’s episode of Hot Stove with Harold Reynolds and Matt Vasgersian. “I’m pretty sure I still want to play, I’m still keeping myself in shape.”
The Chicago White Sox released Pillar in April, allowing him to sign a one-year contract with his hometown team, the Los Angeles Angels. After the move, Pillar improved at the plate and logged his highest batting average since 2020. Pillar expressed his gratitude for the Angels and credited the move for helping him rediscover his passion for baseball.
“For the first time in probably ever, I was just playing for the love of the game, the joy of the game,” Pillar said. “I wasn’t worried about tomorrow or the next day, my future and I found a lot of success in that. Even going up towards the end of the season, I really thought it was gonna be my last year, I thought I was gonna retire.”
Pillar played one season with the Dodgers in 2022. He struggled in the Major Leagues, recording a .083 batting average across four games. But, Pillar thrived in the minors, averaging .315 and hitting 10 home runs. He elected free agency at the end of the season.
Pillar is now back in free agency after a finishing the 2024 season with the Halos. The 36-year-old will be at the Winter Meetings in Dallas next week to search for an interested team.
In the meantime, Pillar said he will approach this offseason differently than in the past. Rather than focusing on which team will pick him up, Pillar will relax and see where the cards fall. He plans to raise his llamas, and spend time outside and with his kids.
“Obviously, in this game, it takes two to tango,” Pillar said. “I could want to play ’til I’m blue in the face, but it’s gonna take someone on the other side to want me to join their team. … If someone calls, I’ll be ready to play. If no one calls, it’s probably meant to be the end.”
The MLB veteran reached 10 years of service time in July, meaning his pension is fully vested.
