Kiermaier, whose stellar defense has already won him two Gold Glove and one Platinum Glove award in his first three seasons, is focused on becoming a more consistent offensive player this season, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports. "I've got to find consistency," Kiermaier said. "I've had some really bad stretches, and some really good stretches. When I can balance that out -- and I've had times when I've done that. Moving up to the 2-hole last year I think was the most consistent I've been in my Major League career since I came up in 2014."

EDGE Analysis

Kiermaier owns a respectable .258/.313/.425 line with 61 doubles, 22 triples, 32 homers and 112 RBI over his major league career, along with 44 stolen bases in 56 attempts. However, after topping out at a .263 average in both 2014 and 2015, Kiermaier is seeking to take things to the next level at the plate and maximize one of his best attributes -- speed. The 27-year-old is prioritizing the improvement of his OBP by all available means this coming season, emphasizing that he'll look to draw more walks, work deeper into counts, and up his overall aggression at the plate. He's also on record as stating that he'll definitely look to do a lot more bunting in 2017, which would serve as another avenue for the fleet Kiermaier to get on base.

Kiermaier confirmed in a recent radio interview that he's being considered for a move to the leadoff spot in 2017, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old's 80.0 percent contact rate and 9.9 percent walk rate are adequate for a spot at the top of the order, but his career OBP of .313 leaves plenty to be desired with respect to a table-setting role. However, Kiermaier also brings a strong stolen-base profile, having swiped 44 bags in 56 attempts through his first three major league seasons. He did slash a solid .278/.356/.434 with eight doubles, a triple, seven homers, 19 RBI and 12 stolen bases over 198 at-bats out of the two-hole in 2016, providing some reason for optimism with respect to his prospects as a potential leadoff hitter. The departed Logan Forsythe primarily handled that role for the Rays last season and provided an impressive 20 homers and 52 RBI while doing so, but also checked in with a lower OBP (.335) than the aforementioned .356 figure Kiermaier generated while hitting immediately behind him. The Gold Glove outfielder's exact slot in the batting order will be finalized during spring training.

Kiermaier agreed to a one-year, $2.975 million contract with the Rays on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

A wrist injury cost Kiermaier a significant chunk of the season, but he finished strong with an .874 OPS, five homers and eight steals over the final month, bringing his totals to 12 homers and 21 steals for the year. He served as the Rays' primary No. 2 hitter down the stretch. His Gold Glove defense should keep him on the field close to every day to begin 2017.

Kiermaier (leg) is reportedly the subject of interest from the Nationals at the MLB winter meetings, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old outfielder endured an injury-riddled campaign in 2016, but did manage a career high in homers (12) and stolen bases (21). His Gold Glove-caliber defense and potential at the plate make him an appealing target, and the Rays could pull the trigger with the right offer.

Kiermaier (leg) is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rangers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kiermaier left Saturday's game with a leg injury, which will keep him out of Tampa Bay's season finale Sunday. Mikie Mahtook will start in center field and hit second in Kiermaier's absence.

Kiermaier exited Saturday's game against the Rangers after suffering an apparent injury to his leg, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kiermaier exited the game in the sixth inning after already making two at-bats. The Rays will have their final game of the season Sunday, and as a result, the team may simply err on the side of caution and let Kiermaier sit out.

Kiermaier is now slashing .312/.390/.516 in September following a 3-for-5 effort in a Thursday victory over the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

The slash line is by far the best of any month for Kiermaier this season, while his multi-hit outing Thursday was his eighth of September, also a high-water mark. Kiermaier has raised his average a total of 40 points since Aug. 1, while blasting eight doubles, a triple, seven homers, 19 RBI and 11 stolen bases over that span.

Kiermaier (hand) is back in Wednesday's lineup, hitting second and patrolling center field, MLB.com's Bill Chastain reports.

EDGE Analysis

He missed two games with the hand injury, but will return to providing a spark near the top of the Rays lineup and offering gold-glove caliber defense in center field. Kiermaier is hitting .253/.345/.397 with seven home runs and 14 steals in 63 games in the second half.

Kiermaier (hand) remains out of the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox, MLB.com's Bill Chastain reports.

EDGE Analysis

He will miss a second straight game with the hand injury he suffered over the weekend. Mikie Mahtook will start in center field and hit fifth Tuesday.

Kiermaier will miss Monday's game against the White Sox with an injured hand, but he hopes to start Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kiermaier was forced to leave Sunday night's game against the Red Sox after he was hit by a pitch. It sounds like Kiermaier is optimistic, but given that he was feeling worse than expected Monday, he's no lock to be in Tuesday's lineup.