Kiermaier, Blue Jays agree to 1-year, $10.5M deal
Veteran outfielder Kevin Kiermaier agreed to a one-year, $10.5-million contract to return to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Kiermaier confirmed his return to Toronto on Wednesday in a video on X, formerly Twitter.
Where my @BlueJays fans at?!??? Lets get it!!! Im ready to roll! pic.twitter.com/Cy6WKLUqi1
— Kevin Kiermaier (@KKiermaier39) December 27, 2023
The 33-year-old spent the 2023 campaign with the Blue Jays and won the fourth Gold Glove of his career.
Kiermaier recovered from hip surgery in 2022 to slash .265/.322/.419 with eight home runs, 36 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases in 129 games last season.
He is projected to be the Blue Jays' starting centre fielder in 2024 with Daulton Varsho in left field and George Springer patrolling right field.
Kiermaier continues to rank among the game's very best outfielders in a number of key defensive metrics. He ranked in the 98th percentile in outs above average, the 95th percentile in arm strength, and the 96th percentile in fielding-run value last season, according to Baseball Savant.