San Francisco Giants Trade Possibility: Kevin Pillar

As the San Francisco Giants look to revamp their outfield once again, they may need to look to the trade market for help.

The San Francisco Giants desperately need a defensive first center fielder, and Kevin Pillar is one of the best defensive outfielders in the game.

Just to be clear, there are no rumors that the Toronto Blue Jays would be willing to trade Pillar, but you would have to think they would consider it as they look to get younger and rebuild.

The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will have that division on lock for the next several years. Kevin Pillar will most likely not be a part of this team when they’re ready to compete again.

Pillar has two arbitration seasons left before becoming a free agent. He made $3.25 million last year in arbitration and will likely get a small increase for next season.

Still, this would be a very affordable option for the Giants.

The right-handed center fielder was drafted in the 32nd round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Blue Jays. He made his major league debut in 2013, but didn’t become a full-time starter until 2015.

Over his six seasons he has a career average of .261 with a .298 on-base percentage.

This is not someone the Giants could put at the top of lineup and expect a lot of offensive production. Pillar is a defense first player, but that doesn’t mean he’s incompetent on offense.

Over the past two seasons he’s hit 16 and 15 home runs respectively, while stealing 15 and 14 bases respectively. That’s are two categories where the San Francisco Giants need help.

So what would it take to get Kevin Pillar?

The Blue Jays have a very solid farm system with two of the best offensive prospects in all of baseball in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette.

They are light on pitching prospects, so that’s certainly something the Giants could help them with.

Shaun Anderson, Sean Hjelle, or Tyler Beede would all make sense in a trade for Pillar.

That’s certainly a deal I would consider if I were the Giants or the Blue Jays. It gives the Giants the defense they need in center field, as well as a decent hitter that gives you some added power.

For the Blue Jays, it helps clear some room for their young core that is coming up, while also strengthening their young pitching depth for the future.