In a surprising turn of events, the Toronto Blue Jays have announced the hiring of recently retired outfielder Kevin Kiermaier as a special assistant. Kiermaier, a four-time Gold Glove winner renowned for his defensive prowess, concluded his 11-year MLB career after the 2024 season. In his new role, the 34-year-old will work with outfielders throughout the Blue Jays’ organization.

Kiermaier expressed his enthusiasm for the position, stating, “I am just thrilled. This is the dream job of a lifetime. I cannot wait.” Over his career, he batted .246 with 95 home runs, 132 steals, 60 triples, and 378 RBIs in 1,159 games, playing for the Tampa Bay Rays, Blue Jays, and Los Angeles Dodgers.

While this development is unexpected, it is not a disaster but rather a strategic move by the Blue Jays to leverage Kiermaier’s experience and defensive expertise to benefit their outfielders.