After beginning the offseason with two true major league outfielders, the Mets have doubled their inventory.
Kevin Pillar brings the latest depth, after reaching agreement Monday night on a one-year deal with the team, pending a physical, an industry source confirmed.
Pillar joins recently added Albert Almora Jr., as a right-handed bat who can play center field. Pillar, 32, slashed .288/.336/.462 last season with the Red Sox and Rockies. Once a premier defensive player, Pillar has declined in recent seasons — he was minus-two in outs above average last season, according to Baseball Savant, which placed him in the 11th percentile among MLB outfielders.
In 2019, Pillar ranked No. 41 — out of 48 qualifiers — among center fielders in outs above average.
The Mets have pursued Jackie Bradley Jr. this offseason, but without the implementation of the universal DH will likely have a difficult time fitting him in. Bradley, a premier defensive center fielder who turns 31 in April, held a Zoom call with Mets officials in late January. He has been seeking a significant contract, perhaps beyond four years, according to a source.
Without the DH, the Mets would have Brandon Nimmo and Dominic Smith as the starters in center field and left field, respectively, with Almora (who has a minor league option remaining) and Pillar as backups. The Mets would prefer the DH, allowing them to put Smith or Pete Alonso in that spot, with Nimmo in left field and a better defensive option in center.
Pillar became the Mets’ third recent depth signing, joining Almora and Jonathan Villar. But there are still needs on other fronts.