Fan favorite Braves outfielder joins former teammates with Chicago White Sox

The Atlanta Braves have one less option for their backup outfielder role

Lindsay Crosby | Feb 3, 2024

The Atlanta Braves are ready for spring training, mostly.

The position player starters have been decided for a while and both the rotation and bullpen have been reinforced for 2024, but we've wondered if Atlanta would bring in a veteran outfielder to backup the everyday trio of Ronald Acuña Jr, Michael Harris II, and Jarred Kelenic.

And the favorite to be added to that group is now off the board with the Friday night news that former Braves outfielder Kevin Pillar has signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox.

The contract, which comes with an invite to major league spring training, will pay Pillar $3M if he makes the Opening Day roster.

Pillar, 35, signed a similar deal with Atlanta last season and ended up playing in exactly half of the team's games, batting .228/.248/.416 with 9 homers while spending time at all three defensive positions.

Serving as the short side of a platoon with now-free agent Eddie Rosario, Pillar brought defensive versatility to Atlanta's outfield mix last season, as well as a clubhouse presence that was special even within Atlanta's tight-knit major league group.

Signs of the roster's affection for Pillar were evident this offseason, as Pillar and his wife joined Austin Riley, Matt Olson, and Travis d'Arnaud on a multi-family vacation to St. Lucia in December. (Also on the trip were pitcher Kyle Wright, now with the Kansas City Royals, and former Braves catcher Alex Jackson, currently with the Tampa Bay Rays.)

But signs that Pillar was looking for a bigger role were evident early this offseason, with Pillar posting a "goodbye" message on social media just days after the season ended.

By signing with the White Sox, if Pillar makes the roster, he'll be surrounded by plenty of friendly faces. The Braves traded multiple players to Chicago at the non-tender deadline, including major leaguers Michael Soroka, Nicky Lopez, Jared Shuster, and Braden Shewmake.

Best wishes, Kevin!