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MLB free agency: Landing spots for Kevin Pillar

By Jack Trent Dorfman

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 6: Kevin Pillar #1 of the San Francisco Giants bats during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 6, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Giants defeated the Dodgers 5-4. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 6: Kevin Pillar #1 of the San Francisco Giants bats during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 6, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Giants defeated the Dodgers 5-4. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
(Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Detriot Tigers

Certainly not a team built for 2020, the Tigers have added established major leaguers C.J. Cron and Jonathan Schoop this offseason despite working through a rebuilding phase. Cron, 30, and Schoop, 28, both are young enough to factor into any emerging Tigers team over the next couple of seasons.

At 31, Kevin Pillar fits into that group nicely. Like these two free-agent infielders, Pillar can hit the long ball from the right side of the plate and he has some significant veteran experience in a postseason lockerroom from his time in Toronto.

Currently, MLBTR has connected Detriot to players like Yasiel Puig, who is two years younger than Pillar and puts up similar numbers. Puig collected 24 homers, 19 steals, and a .458 SLG last season compared to Pillar’s 21 home runs, 14 steals, and .442 SLG from 2019. Puig’s arm in right field is well-documented, and his postseason successes with the Dodgers fill plenty of LA fans’ memories, but the ‘Wild Horse’ is known to bring uncertainty into clubhouses, something that is not attached to Pillar.

If the Tigers are looking for a steady middle of the order outfield bat to pair with C.J. Cron and Jonathan Schoop, Kevin Pillar may provide more stability than Puig. Plus, he’ll likely have a significantly lower price tag than the former All-Star.

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