Ex-Yankees Dud Connected to AL Contender Amid Stint With Blue Jays

Former New York Yankees utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa was expected to be much better when he landed with the Yankees a few years ago. Unfortunately, the stint didn’t go well for either side, as Kiner-Falefa was typically booed out of the stadium and simply didn’t swing the bat at the level the Yankees were hoping for. 

He played for two seasons with the Yankees, hitting .261 in 2022 and .242 in 2023. 

While his averages have typically been decent, it was his lack of power at the plate that was evident, posting an 84 OPS+ in 2022 and a 78 OPS+ in 2023. 

He only hit a combined 10 home runs in those two seasons. 

Currently a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, Kiner-Falefa is set to hit the free agency market at the end of The Campaign. When examining where he could end up, FanSided named him a potential option for the Kansas City Royals, a team that should be much better next year. 

“But unlike most bench pieces, Kiner-Falefa has logged consistent playing time and carved out a real role with multiple clubs. In 2025, he split his season between the lowly Pirates and the pennant-chasing Blue Jays, proving his value once again even as his bat cooled off…

“He just finished a two-year, $15 million deal that began with Toronto, took him to Pittsburgh, and brought him back to the Blue Jays by year’s end. Projecting his next contract is difficult, as he’ll be 30 years old, coming off a down offensive season, but still boasts above-average fielding and positional versatility. He’s only one year removed from a career-best 93 wRC+ in 2024,” Jacob Milham wrote.

Will Isiah Kiner-Falefa Leave the Blue Jays?

Others have predicted that Kiner-Falefa will leave the Toronto Blue Jays, making it the second team in the American League East he’d leave in the past few years after departing from the New York Yankees.

However, instead of landing with the Royals, they had him sign with the Los Angeles Angels, a team that can use all the help it can get. 

“At this point, we’re just going to assume Anthony Rendon will be unavailable and be pleasantly surprised if he is able to take the field. The Angels could make a modest investment in IKF, and he would give them a potential starting option at third base and insurance at second base as Christian Moore continues to develop, essentially filling the role Luis Rengifo has had the past few years,” Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report wrote.

Would the Yankees Consider an Isiah Kiner-Falefa Reunion?

While the New York Yankees may kick the tires again on a potential deal for Kiner-Falefa, he might not make sense.

They don’t have a perfect starting shortstop with Anthony Volpe injured to begin next season. Kiner-Falefa has already proven he isn’t that, but reports indicated that the Yankees had some level of interest in making a deal for him at the trade deadline. 

He was on the Pittsburgh Pirates but was eventually designated for assignment before being picked up by the Blue Jays.

“The New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants are keeping a close eye on versatile Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who should be available at the trade deadline,” Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote.

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