The Toronto Blue Jays have been active in the offseason, and their latest move involves re-signing center fielder Kevin Kiermaier. Kiermaier, who spent the first ten seasons of his career with the Tampa Bay Rays, signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract with incentives to return to the Blue Jays. This move comes after Kiermaier had a strong bounce-back season in 2023, hitting .265 with 8 home runs, 36 RBIs, 14 stolen bases, and a .741 OPS. He also secured his fourth Gold Glove award, highlighting his exceptional defensive skills.
While the Blue Jays missed out on signing Shohei Ohtani, their pursuit of making impactful moves continues. Kiermaier’s return is seen as a solid move, considering his reputation as one of the best defensive players in the league, along with his ability to contribute offensively. The $10.5 million contract for Kiermaier is reasonable and allows Toronto to remain flexible in pursuing other free agents.
This signing doesn’t necessarily mean that the Blue Jays are done making moves. They could still be active in the market for other players, and fans are eager to see what the team’s next move will be. The reunion with Kiermaier is seen as a positive step for Toronto as they aim to bolster their roster for the upcoming season.