Another member of the 2024 Angels club has found a new home for the 2025 season. Kevin Pillar, who considered retiring during the offseason, is back in baseball after signing a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers that includes an invitation to major league camp. Pillar, who appeared to be hanging around baseball to complete his ten years of service, has found his second wind and will continue his illustrious career. If Mike Trout suffers an injury in 2025, Pillar will not be available to replace him.
“I know I said I was going to retire, but I’m entitled to take that back,” Pillar told MLB.com. “I’ve been playing this game for a long time, and I’ve reached many of my career goals. Last year’s individual season left a terrible taste in my mouth. You don’t always get to select your fate in this game, and I ended up in the proper position.”
Pillar was one of the Angels’ few bright spots last season, as they finished 63-99 overall. He wasn’t hitting very well, and his outfield range had severely deteriorated, but receiving his ten-year service time was a heartwarming event in the midst of the worst season in Angels history. Pillar is clearly a beloved teammate and a pleasant clubhouse presence, and he will now bring his leadership and great energy to Texas. If he did retire, it would not have been shocking to see him transition to a position in the Angels’ player development department so that the team could preserve his intangibles in the building.
The 36-year-old still possesses some skills that may make him an effective outfielder off the Rangers’ bench. His arm strength remains above average, and the defensive specialist has the knowledge to know just where to throw the ball in almost every game circumstance. His sprint speed was also in the 78th percentile last season. Not bad for a baseball veteran.
Except for Carlos Estévez and Eric Wagaman, every player of the 2024 Angels squad who found a new home did so via a minor league contract. Shocking! The players include Pillar, Brandon Drury, Matt Moore, Luis GarcÃa, Michael Stefanic, Andrew Wantz, Jack López, Carson Fulmer, and Charles Leblanc. José Marte and Hunter Strickland remain free agents.
