The Los Angeles Dodgers were busy at the 2024 MLB trade deadline, and among their moves was acquiring Kevin Kiermaier from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Ryan Yarbrough.
The veteran outfielder was in the final year of his contract and struggling at the plate, but the Dodgers had a need for depth in center field, and Kiermaier is one of the best defenders in baseball history.
Kiermaier appeared in 34 games for the Dodgers and noted the trade to a winning organization gave him some extra life. He ended up on the Dodgers’ National League Championship roster as an injury replacement for Miguel Rojas, but was removed for the World Series.
Kiermaier retired after the season as a World Series champion, but he quickly found another job. The 34-year-old has returned to the Blue Jays as a special assistant, via Keegan Matheson of MLB.com:
“I’d always make a joke with the guys about being a special assistant,” Kiermaier said. “I’d say, ‘You guys are going to miss me, but I’ll be a special assistant one day and you’ll love having me around.’ It’s funny how it came to fruition. I am just thrilled. This is the dream job of a lifetime. I cannot wait.”
Kiermaier is expected to help coach Blue Jays outfielders throughout the organization, starting at Spring Training and then heading to the different levels of the organization. There is perhaps no player better suited for the role than the four-time Gold Glove winner and Platinum Glove recipient:
“I’m very confident and I worked my butt off to create a mindset back in the day that I was going to be one of the best outfielders ever,’” Kiermaier said. “I tried to do that throughout my whole game, but I knew defense was always going to be my calling card. I did, I worked to try to be the best ever. I just want to do the same now from a coaching standpoint. I know I have the resume and the statistics to back it up, so I want to tell these guys, ‘If I were you guys, I would listen to me and my advice.’”
Kiermaier also made an impact for the Dodgers after being acquired, showing off some of his other skills that will translate to coaching. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Kiermaier for the impact he made with some of the younger players, becoming a mentor and brining energy to the club.
The left-handed hitter was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2010 MLB Draft by Andrew Friedman and went on to make his debut in 2013 before earning a larger role the following season. Over his 12-year career, 10 were spent with the Rays before joining the Blue Jays and Dodgers for the final two years.
Kevin Kiermaier grateful for World Series
Kiermaier said during the year that the 2024 season would be his last, and he confirmed his retirement shortly after the World Series. He expressed his gratitude for retiring as a champion and thanked the Dodgers and his teammates for the opportunity.
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