Blue Jays sign Kiermaier to 1-year contract
Posted December 14, 2022 9:13 pm.
Last Updated December 15, 2022 10:26 am.
The Toronto Blue Jays officially signed outfielder Kevin Kiermaier to a one-year, $9 million contract on Thursday.
Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi was the first to announce the agreement between both sides.
Kiermaier, 32, has played his entire 10-year career with the Tampa Bay Rays.
A three-time Gold Glove winner, he’s well-regarded for his outstanding defense in center field and bats from the left-hand side — an ability the Blue Jays have been known to be pursuing in free agency and through trade.
Kiermaier has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. He appeared in 63 games last season with the Rays, slashing .228/.281/.369 with seven home runs and 22 RBIs, before undergoing season-ending hip surgery in July. In 2021, Kiermaier also underwent arthroscopic knee surgery during the offseason.
The veteran has appeared in over 100 games five times, averaging 101 games during his career.
Barring other moves, the 32-year-old is expected to be the team’s primary center fielder, shifting George Springer to right field. Kiermaier’s presence will also allow Springer, now 33, to shift to designated hitter.
The Blue Jays weren’t done adding through free agency, reportedly agreeing to a three-year, $63-million contract with starting pitcher Chris Bassitt on Monday.
