Outfielder Kevin Kiermaier is planning to retire after the present season.
“That is it, 2024 is it for me,” Kiermaier advised Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. “This subsequent week shall be very attention-grabbing (when it comes to a possible commerce). However this shall be my final 12 months taking part in. I’m going to offer it my all the remainder of the 12 months no matter what scenario I’m in. However my physique is speaking to me now greater than ever.”
Kiermaier, now 34, started his profession in pretty humble style. The Rays chosen him within the thirty first spherical in 2010, a portion of the draft that now not exists, and gave him a $75K signing bonus. He was up within the majors by 2013 and shortly drew consideration together with his hard-nosed type of play, operating the bases aggressively whereas additionally crashing his physique into partitions and the bottom as a way to make highlight-reel catches.
The reckless abandon that he had for his personal well being was concurrently his best asset and in addition the factor that almost all ceaselessly held him again. He has been often known as top-of-the-line defenders of the newest period of baseball whereas additionally typically lacking time attributable to accidents.
By the tip of the 2016 season, he had appeared in 365 video games for the Rays. He hit 32 residence runs in that point and slashed .258/.313/.425 for a wRC+ of 105. He additionally stole 44 bases over that stretch and obtained a few of a number of the strongest defensive grades within the league.
Having established himself as a strong piece of the Rays’ roster, the 2 sides agreed to an extension going into 2017. Kiermaier had certified for arbitration as a Tremendous Two participant and nonetheless had 4 years of membership management remaining at the moment. The deal was a six-year pact with a $53.5M assure and a $13M membership possibility for 2023 that included a $2.5M buyout.
Over the lifetime of that deal, Kiermaier continued contributing in roughly the identical manner that he had earlier than. He was strong although not elite on the plate whereas stealing bases and offering superlative protection, although the harm considerations would mount over time. From 2017 to 2022, the six assured years of his extension with the Rays, he by no means as soon as reached 130 video games performed in a season and he solely hit the 100-game mark twice. A type of years was the shortened 2020 marketing campaign however Kiermaier frolicked on the injured checklist attributable to a proper hip fracture, a torn ligament in proper thumb, a left thumb sprain and a left wrist sprain.
In 2022, he handled a torn labrum in his left hip that finally required season-ending surgical procedure in July. That led the Rays to go for the $2.5M buyout as a substitute of choosing up his $13M membership possibility, sending him to free company for the primary time in his profession.
He was in a position to land a one-year, $9M deal with the Blue Jays after which engineered a strong bounce-back marketing campaign. He slashed .265/.322/.419 for a wRC+ of 104, stole 14 bases and continued to supply his customary glorious glovework. He did go on the injured checklist as soon as, struggling a proper elbow laceration crashing into the outfield wall making an attempt to make a catch, however acquired into 129 video games for the Jays.
He re-signed with the Jays on one other one-year deal, this time securing a $10.5M guarantee, however his outcomes have fallen off considerably right here in 2024. He did go on the IL as soon as attributable to left hip flexor irritation, returning after a minimal keep. In his 77 video games for the Jays this 12 months, he’s hit simply .195/.239/.314 for a wRC+ of 55.
“The best way I mirror on it, the product I placed on the sector now nonetheless could be good, however the effort it takes to get it to what I’ve been used to all these years, with my velocity and protection and arm and every thing, it’s powerful,” he advised Topkin. “I knew this 12 months was going to be powerful simply with how I felt final 12 months, and I do know because the years go by it’s going to get more durable and more durable. I’ve my third child coming in December, and it’s time for me to be a dad and let my physique get well. … I’m very proud and really completely happy and it’s simply been the very best journey I may ever ask for. … It’s been unbelievable.”
Though retirement is simply over the horizon, Kiermaier nonetheless has the 2024 season to get by means of, and it stays to be seen the place he’ll end his profession. The Jays are 45-55 in the meanwhile and 10 video games again of a playoff spot, making them clear sellers previous to the July 30 commerce deadline. Even earlier than saying his upcoming retirement, Kiermaier was a logical commerce candidate as an impending free agent.
Nonetheless, his worth is at a low ebb, given his wage and struggles on the plate this 12 months. A few weeks in the past, the Jays placed him on waivers within the hopes that another membership would take the contract off their arms however all of them handed. Regardless of clearing waivers, Kiermaier wasn’t faraway from Toronto’s roster and will nonetheless be traded within the subsequent week, however the Jays must eat a few of his remaining wage to facilitate a deal. Regardless of the tepid offense this 12 months, Kiermaier’s defensive grades are nonetheless robust and the Reds are one membership that reportedly has some curiosity in him.
He could have a couple of extra months so as to add to his profession totals however has up to now performed in 1,120 main league video games with 890 hits. That features 94 residence runs, 59 triples and 167 doubles. He has scored 491 runs, pushed in 370 and stolen 131 bases.
However he’ll in fact be most remembered for that excellent protection. From 2014 to the current, he has accrued 159 Defensive Runs Saved as a middle fielder thus far. That’s essentially the most of any participant in baseball at any place and doesn’t even embrace the 13 DRS he had in proper discipline previous to establishing himself as Tampa’s common in heart. His 88 Outs Above Common in heart that time-frame are tops amongst outfielders and behind solely infielders Francisco Lindor, Nick Ahmed and Nolan Arenado. (His time for granted fielder predated the invention of Outs Above Common.)
We at MLBTR salute Kiermaier on a superb profession and need him luck within the the rest of his taking part in profession in addition to his post-playing days.