The Mets and Kevin Pillar have both declined their options on each other for the 2022 season, and the veteran outfielder will hit the open market this winter.
Audacy MLB Insider Jon Heyman was the first to report.
Pillar had a $2.9 million player option, while the Mets held a $6.4 million option with a $1.4 million buyout. Pillar first declined his player option, then New York declined the club option.
If Pillar signs on with another team for more than $1.5 million next season, he will eclipse what he would have made with the Mets, thanks to the buyout.
The Mets signed Pillar to a one-year deal back in February, and the 32-year-old logged 325 at-bats on the season, batting .231 with 15 home runs and a .692 OPS. He is slashing .260/.297/.409 across his nine-year career.
Pillar was heralded for returning so quickly from facial surgery to repair multiple nasal fractures, which he suffered after getting hit in the face with a 94 mph fastball. He was back in the batter’s box just two weeks later.
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