Kevin Kiermaier Agrees to Deal With Blue Jays, Reports Claim

Kevin Kiermaier with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019
Kevin Kiermaier with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019. Photo by Jonathan Huff/CSM/Shutterstock (10333379j)

Multiple reports have claimed that free agent Kevin Kiermaier has agreed to join the Toronto Blue Jays pending a physical. The details of the deal currently remain undisclosed.

At 32 years of age, Kiermaier has won three Gold Glove awards during a successful career with the Tampa Bay Rays. He hit .228 for the Rays last season, including seven home runs and 22 RBIs. Kiermaier headed into free agency upon deciding against activating the $13 million option included in his contract with the Rays.

While a career .248 hitter with 82 homers and 316 RBIs, Kiermaier’s talents don’t only lie in the swing of a bat; he is also a pacy runner, having stolen 112 bases during his nine-season career.

Selected in the 31st round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Rays, Kiermaier remained a key player in the Rays’ roster, despite suffering injury issues that led to him undergoing labrum surgery in August.

Kiermaier will greatly bolster the Blue Jays’ roster following the departure of right fielder Teoscar Hernandez in a trade with the Seattle Mariners last month.

Last season, the Blue Jays finished second in the American League East with a 92-70 mark; six games ahead of the Rays.