TRENDING: He didn’t think he would be back with the Blue Jays…
Kevin Kiermaier surprised even himself by agreeing to a one-year contract to stay with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The outfielder, 33, came back to Toronto despite his statement that he “never thought I’d play on turf again.” Kiermaier ultimately made the decision to re-sign with the Blue Jays in order to continue playing home games on the synthetic field at Rogers Centre, as the experience he and his family enjoyed was too positive to pass up.
According to MLB.com’s KiermaiJon Morosi, er stated, “Even though turf was not a priority for me by any means, when our season ended last year, I never completely closed the door.” “I kept telling myself that I couldn’t possibly find a more talented staff. We make a pitch. We take the defensive position. We possess
It’s very enjoyable. I adore the boys in this group. Honestly, that’s what got me back. And last year, Toronto gave me the royal treatment. You want to feel valued as a player. When we departed last year, my wife was inconsolable and in tears. She was reluctant to go. My children were enthralled by it. They frequently discuss the CN Tower. They are eager to return.
Kiermaier has made no secret of his desire to play on real grass for a long time. Being a centre fielder noted for his defence, he acknowledged that the turf affected him during his first 10 years of professional ball with the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. It was supposed to be a one-year commitment, but he was content to play with Toronto in 2023.
In the end, Kiermaier earned his fourth Gold Glove in his career while contributing significantly to a postseason squad. Though he might prefer to play on grass, the circumstances in Toronto ultimately proved to be too attractive for him to ignore.
