Former Texas Rangers outfielder Kevin Pillar said he was surprised by the culture of his previous team after announcing his retirement Wednesday.

Pillar, who contemplated retirement after the 2024 season, opted instead to sign with the Rangers, expecting to join a winning group after they were crowned World Series champions in 2023.

"Them coming off of winning a World Series a couple years ago, that was the team that I thought I was joining," Pillar said on "Foul Territory."

The veteran outfielder appeared in 20 games for the Rangers before he was designated for assignment May 25. He said that during his brief time with the Rangers, they didn't resemble winning environments he was part of in Toronto with the Blue Jays and in Atlanta with the Braves.

"I thought they would be a little bit tighter as a group," he said. "I thought it would be kinda like my experience in Atlanta. ... Everyone just pulled on the same rope, everyone wanted to hang out, everyone wanted to do everything together, winning was the most important thing every day."

Pillar added, "In Texas, there's a lot of talent in there. There's just a lot of individual stuff going on. A lot of guys are doing their own thing. You might not see people till the game goes on. ... Not a lot of BP, not a lot of stretching together."

Pillar also suggested the Rangers could have done a better job of handling letting him go by providing him one more chance to play in front of family and friends, knowing he was close to retirement.

Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young responded to Pillar's comments Wednesday.

"Kevin's a really good guy. I don't think he means to cause any harm. I think he just probably got asked a question in a moment and gave an answer without maybe understanding the repercussions for the team," Young said, according to Abby Jones of DLLS Sports.

"He's a good person and, you know, I wish him the best, and we're grateful for what he provided to the Rangers."

The Rangers missed the postseason in 2024 and are 2.5 games back of a wild-card spot entering Thursday.