Longtime centerfielder was acquired by the Dodgers at the trade deadline and played his final few months before retiring. Now, he’ll work with outfielders in the Jays’ organization.
Former Dodgers outfielder Kevin Kiermaier isn’t playing anymore, but he will remain in baseball for the foreseeable. The longtime centerfielder over the weekend rejoined the Blue Jays, this time as a special assistant with the team.
He’ll work with outfielders throughout Toronto’s organization, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com:
“Please, just trust me. Let me be a part of this. Let me bounce around,” Kiermaier told the Blue Jays. “Let me offer my services here, from top to bottom in the organization. Let me show you what I can do. Let me be the outfield whisperer to these guys.”
It’s hard to think of a better role for Kiermaier, who won four Gold Glove Awards and three Fielding Bible Awards during his 12 years in the majors with the Rays, Blue Jays, and Dodgers.
The Dodgers acquired Kiermaier from the Blue Jays at the 2024 trade deadline, and though he hit just .203/.242/.322 with a 57 wRC+ in 34 games, he still proved quite capable defensively. Kiermaier led all Dodgers centerfielders with plus-2 Outs Above Average despite playing only 172 innings at the position with Los Angeles.
In the postseason, Kiermaier was only active during the National League Championship Series. He was 0-for-2 at the plate but scored a pair of runs, and finished all four Dodgers victories over the Mets in the final innings as a defensive replacement in center field.
Kiermaier, who turns 35 in April, announced his retirement after the Dodgers won the World Series in October.