Blue Jays special assistant Kevin Kiermaier arrives at Spring Training talks about new role with the Club.

Kevin Kiermaier wrapped up his MLB career with the Dodgers this year after being traded by Toronto at the trade deadline, but played for the Blue Jays in each of the past two seasons after spending the bulk of his career with the Tampa Bay Rays. Kiemaier's role hasn't been strictly defined, but he told Matheson that he pitched himself to the Jays as an «outfield whisperer.»

In an interview with MLB.com's Keegan Matheson Kiermaier expressed how badly he wanted this role with the Blue Jays organization.

It's hard to argue with Kiermaier's resume, which should make him very well-suited to a role coaching outfielders on defense all throughout the organization.

The 34-year-old wasn't drafted by the Rays until the 31st round of the 2010 draft, but worked his way through the organization on the back of his defensive prowess and went on to have a strong career in the majors that saw him earn four Gold Glove awards in center field and play in 12 MLB seasons.

While he was a decent hitter who provided roughly league average offensive value, defense was Kiermaier's calling card as he accumulated 26.7 fWAR and 36.5 bWAR throughout his career.

Kiermaier expanded on those feelings during an appearance on the MLB Network on Thursday.

He spent 10 years with the Tampa Bay Rays and helped them get to the World Series in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, losing to the Dodgers.

He signed with the Blue Jays for 2023 and then re-signed for the 2024 season before the trade to Los Angeles.

As a hitter, Kiermaier had a lifetime .246 average. His best offensive seasons came at the beginning of his career when he hit .263 in both 2014 and 2015. One of the best defenders of his era, he won four Gold Glove Awards, including one with the Blue Jays in the 2023 campaign.