Kevin Pillar, Red Sox agree to one-year, $4.25M contract

Kevin Pillar is in Fort Myers and is ready to join the Boston Red Sox.

The free-agent outfielder has agreed to a one-year, $4.25 million contract with the Red Sox, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reported Friday morning.

Pillar’s signing is pending a physical and could become official this weekend, according to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, who first reported that Pillar’s contract would be in the $4 million range.

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The 31-year-old outfielder arrived at the Red Sox spring training facility on Friday, another sign that his deal likely is imminent.

Pillar, who hit .251 with a career-high 21 home runs and 88 RBI between the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants last season, could be in Boston’s Opening Day lineup, as newly-acquired outfielder Alex Verdugo reportedly may miss the start of the season due to a back injury.

Per Speier, Verdugo’s injury factored into the Red Sox’ pursuit of Pillar, an excellent defender who can play all three outfield positions. Once Verdugo returns, Pillar will give Boston additional outfield depth alongside left fielder Andrew Benintendi and center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr.

The Red Sox get Pillar on a relative bargain, too: The seven-year veteran made $5.6 million last season with the Giants before they opted not to tender his arbitration-eligible contract.

MLB Rumors: Kevin Pillar, Red Sox agree to one-year, $4.25M contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston