TORONTO (AP) 鈥� Gold Glove-winning centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier finalized a $9 million, one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday.
The 32-year-old slumped to a .228 average with seven homers and 22 RBIs in 63 games this year in a season cut short by left hip surgery in August. Tampa Bay declined a $13 million option for 2023.
鈥淎s a player you just want to feel wanted and no other team seemed to want me more than the Blue Jays,鈥� Kiermaier said. 鈥淭hat appealed to me so much. They made me feel loved right from the start.鈥�
George Springer could shift to right from center, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. likely will remain in left.
鈥淭hey want me manning center field out there and getting my rest when I need to,鈥� Kiermeier said during a video news conference. 鈥淏ut there were no platoon talks or anything like that. It seems like it鈥檚 my job to lose, I guess you could say.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to do everything in my power to go out there and play Gold Glove-caliber defense and do what I can offensively to just be a nice complement to an already great offensive team. I鈥檝e got a lot more left in the tank.鈥�
Kiermeier's addition followed the departure of slugger Teoscar Hern谩ndez, who was traded to Seattle. The Blue Jays also allowed outfielders Raimel Tapia and Bradley Zimmer to go free.
A three-time Gold Glove winner, Kiermaier has 82 homers, 316 RBIs and 112 stolen bases over 914 games, all with Tampa Bay.
Kiermaier said he is at about 90% as his recovery continues. He has resumed running, hitting and throwing.
鈥淐ome spring training and the regular season, I鈥檒l be ready to roll,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 ready to run around and make a lot of great things happen.鈥�
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The Associated Press
