Former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder and defensive standout Kevin Pillar has been in Toronto this week contributing to Sportsnet’s World Series coverage. He will also be present for Game 5 on Wednesday night.

After Game 3, which was a Dodgers victory, Pillar talked about the play of outfielder Teoscar Hernández. Hernandez has been a star for the Dodgers in these playoffs and is just one win away from his first World Series ring. The two previously played together in Toronto from parts of 2017 to early 2019.

Pillar had this to say about Hernandez’s disappointing trade to the Seattle Mariners ahead of the 2023 season. It comes via toronto sun:

“It’s a shame when you have a guy like that in a place like this and (Blue Jays management) decides not to bring him back,” Pillar said after the Dodgers’ 4-2 win in the Bronx. “As a former teammate of his, I’m happy to see him succeed.

“He’s in a great place if he wants to win.”

Hernandez was approaching the final year of his contract in 2023 and the Blue Jays elected to move him rather than deal with increased arbitration. They also traded Lourdes Gurriel Jr. at that time, in a separate deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Hernandez hit 26 home runs for Seattle in 2023 and then signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers last offseason. He won the home run derby in the All-Star Game and hit 33 home runs while driving in 99.

Pillar also had this to say about Hernandez, who will be a free agent again at the end of the season:

“I think he’s a tremendous player,” Pillar said of Hernandez. “Teoscar is not only an incredible hitter (for) average power, he is a crafty runner. He is one of those players who has five tools. He has an incredible arm. “He has the ability to bring it to light.”

Pillar has appeared in Major League games over 12 different seasons with the Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, White Sox, Atlanta Braves and Angels.

Although he has traveled extensively in the latter part of his career, Pillar was a staple for the Blue Jays from 2015 to 2018. One of the best outfielders in the league during his time in Toronto, he was part of two Blue Jays teams that went on to the American League Championship Series (2015-2016).

Pillar hit .229 this season between the White Sox and Angels. Earlier this summer, he indicated that he was likely to retire after this year, although he has not yet formally done so. If he wanted to keep playing, he’d probably find a job and be a good veteran presence in a clubhouse. He is about to turn 36 years old.

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