Kiermaier says centre field is his 'job to lose' on the Blue Jays

Veteran outfielder Kevin Kiermaier said a lot of teams "checked in" on him when he became a free agent in the off-season. 

No other club matched the Blue Jays' level of attention, he added, helping make his decision to sign in Toronto that much easier.

"As a player you just want to feel wanted and no other team seemed to want me more than the Blue Jays," Kiermaier said. "That appealed to me so much. They made me feel loved right from the start."

The Blue Jays announced Thursday that they had agreed to terms with Kiermaier on a US$9-million, one-year contract.

His addition shores up a new-look outfield for 2023 after the departure of slugger Teoscar Hernandez, who was traded to Seattle last month. The Blue Jays also declined to tender backups Raimel Tapia and Bradley Zimmer.

Positioning is not in stone but current centre-fielder George Springer could shift to right field if needed and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., will likely remain in left field. 

Kiermaier, who hit .228 with seven homers in 63 games before hip surgery ended his 2022 season, made his big-league debut with Tampa Bay in 2013. He became a free agent when the Rays declined a $13-million option.

Speaking on a video call with reporters, Kiermaier said the Blue Jays told him they want him to play "pretty much every day."

"They want me manning centre field out there and getting my rest when I need to," he said. "But there were no platoon talks or anything like that. It seems like it's my job to lose, I guess you could say. 

"I'm going to do everything in my power to go out there and play Gold Glove-calibre defence and do what I can offensively to just be a nice complement to an already great offensive team. I've got a lot more left in the tank."

The 32-year-old native of Fort Wayne, Ind., was limited at times over the last two years due to a labrum issue. He underwent left hip surgery last August.

Kiermaier said he "feels phenomenal" and is currently at about 90 per cent as his recovery continues. He added that he has resumed running, hitting and throwing. 

"Come spring training and the regular season, I'll be ready to roll," he said. "I'm ready to run around and make a lot of great things happen."

Kiermaier has earned three Gold Glove awards and posted a .988 fielding percentage over his career. The six-foot-one 210-pounder also gives the Blue Jays a left-handed option in their righty-heavy lineup.

He expects to be slotted in the bottom third of the batting order and feels he can be "a game-changer" defensively.

"Now that my legs are feeling so much better, I know that I can get back to the form that I (had) before," he said.

Kiermaier has spent his entire career with Tampa Bay. He has 82 homers, 316 RBIs and 112 stolen bases over 914 games.

"Kevin is a terrific addition to our already strong roster," Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said in a release. "As we focus on improving our team heading into this off-season, Kevin checked a lot of those boxes.

"His handedness, defence, elite baserunning, and clubhouse presence make him a great fit for our team and we are excited about his contributions next season."

The Blue Jays have been busier of late after a quiet start to the off-season. 

While yet to be officially announced, Toronto agreed to a $63-million, three-year deal on Monday with right-hander Chris Bassitt, according to several reports.

Bassitt, who was 15-9 with a 3.42 earned-run average last season with the New York Mets, would join a rotation anchored by Cy Young Award finalist Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman. 

The Blue Jays have reached the playoffs in two of the last three years. Toronto was swept in the wild-card round on both occasions.

Toronto's last post-season series win came in 2016. The Blue Jays last won the World Series in 1993.