After an enjoyable time with the Los Angeles Angels last season, Pillar, 35, said Tuesday he intends to play in 2025.
The former Toronto Blue Jays centre-fielder posted a picture of himself at the winter meetings in Dallas stating his plans for next year.
Back in July, after he hit the 10-year milestone, Pillar told USA Today’s Bob Nightengale that he was “98 per cent sure,” he would retire at season’s end.
But a month later, he was having other thoughts.
“It’s changed since I’ve been here, just watching my kids, they’re still enjoying watching me play, me finding some success, being part of a good organization that still sees a lot of value in me and what I do on the field, what I do in the clubhouse,” he told Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi in August “It’s inspiring me to at least consider playing another year. But it’s not just my decision, it will be a conversation with (wife) Amanda and my two kids.”
Pillar did some good things with the Angels after being cut twice by the woeful Chicago White Sox earlier in the year. In 83 games with Los Angeles, he slashed .236/.291/.378 with seven homers and 41 RBIs. After the season, he did some broadcast work for Sportsnet during the MLB Playoffs.
Pillar started his major-league career with the Blue Jays in 2013 and became a fan favourite in Toronto thanks in large part to his spectacular defence. He was traded to San Francisco in April 2019 and was then part of five other teams before joining the White Sox.
