At the trade deadline, the Dodgers acquired outfielder Kevin Kiermaier and some cash in exchange for left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbourgh in a deal with the Blue Jays.
The 34-year-old will only play for Los Angeles for the remainder of the 2024 season. Prior to the trade he announced his retirement, effective at the conclusion of this season, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
“This is it, 2024 is it for me,” Kiermaier said July 24. “This next week will be very interesting (in terms of a potential trade). But this will be my last year playing. I’m going to give it my all the rest of the year regardless of what situation I’m in. But my body is talking to me now more than ever.”
The center fielder has missed games due to injury every season since 2016. Kiermaier’s most recent injury landed him on the 10-day injured list with left hip flexor inflammation. Center field is a punishing position for players younger than Kiermaier, and he might simply not look forward to taking a beating next year at age 35.
“The way I reflect on it, the product I put on the field now still can be good, but the effort it takes to get it to what I’ve been used to all those years, with my speed and defense and arm and everything, it’s tough,” he told the Tampa Bay Times.
Kiermaier has played 12 MLB seasons, spending 10 seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays. His MLB career was a true underdog story. He was drafted in the 31st round of the 2010 MLB draft as the 941st overall pick. The Fort Wayne, Indiana native rose to a four-time Gold Glove winner, with his most recent selection being last season with the Blue Jays.
“I’m very proud and very happy,” Kiermaier said to the Tampa Bay Times, “and it’s just been the best journey I could ever ask for. … It’s been incredible.”
Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
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