
Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
If you paid any attention to the World Series this past season, you will have heard the name Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Kiner-Falefa played for the Toronto Blue Jays down the stretch of the year, and he played a massive role in the outcome of the series.
However, his name being mentioned a ton wasn’t due to his numbers, but rather him being called out on a play that could have won his team the World Series. In the 9th inning of Game 7, Kiner-Falefa was called out at home plate on a bang-bang play that could have ended the game.
Kiner-Falefa took a small lead from third base, and he wasn’t fast enough to reach the plate before the ball came in from second base. Many people criticized him for this, but he was simply listening to how his coaches told him to play these situations all season long.
The veteran shouldn’t be faulted for this move, even with the Blue Jays losing the World Series. Kiner-Falefa was a key piece to the Toronto roster all playoffs, and now he will be heading into free agency.
While his name will be forever attached to the 2025 World Series loss, Kiner-Falefa can be a valuable asset for any team. It likely won’t cost a lot for teams to bring him in, and he could be a quality, sneaky addition.
Kiner-Falefa split time between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Blue Jays this year, and he could be a solid depth piece for any club. The veteran can play almost all positions, showing some real versatility that could drastically improve his market across the sport.
For the season, Kiner-Falefa hit .262 with two home runs and 40 runs batted in, appearing in 138 games between the two teams. Kiner-Falefa is not a star by any means, but he can be a quality role player for a team throughout the long season.
This is just a prediction, NOT a report!
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Isiah Kiner-Falefa Comes Back to the New York Yankees
As Kiner-Falefa gauges his amrker this offseason, one team comes to mind for him next season. That would be the New York Yankees, a team that Kiner-Falefa has already played for once in his career.
Kiner-Falefa played two years in New York with the Yankees, hitting .261 during the 2022 season and .242 during the 2023 season. The veteran was a decent piece for the Yankees during this time, and the two could reunite this offseason.
The Yankees could use another utility player, and Kiner-Falefa could fit the role well for the club. Since the two sides already know each other, this could be an easy transition to make moving forward.
Kiner-Falefa won’t be a major part of the Yankees roster, but he could give them a solid depth addition, something that New York needs to add to the team. Overall, this move could be a low-risk one for the Yankees, and it could offer them a chance to have a reliable player helping them chase a World Series title in 2026.