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TORONTO, ONTARIO – OCTOBER 24: Isiah Kiner-Falefa #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays warms up during batting practice against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game one of the World Series at Rogers Center on October 24, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The Boston Red Sox have signed free agent utility infielder Isaiah Kiner-Falefa to a one-year contract, according to Chris Cotillo of Mass Live, who first reported the two sides were close to a deal. 

Isaiah Kiner Falefa, who they call IKF, is a 30-year-old utility infielder who can play all over the field, which includes shortstop, second base, and third base. He’s also played a little bit of outfield in his career, dating back to his time with the Yankees from 2022 to 2023.  

IKF has had up-and-down seasons throughout his career. He’s coming off an alright 2025 season in which he posted a 1.7 WAR in 137 games split between the Pirates and Blue Jays, in which he hit for a .262 batting average with 2 home runs, 40 RBI’s, and .297 OBP with a .631 OPS. 

Versatile Infielder Who Hits For Contact

Before his most recent stint with the Blue Jays and Pirates, IKF was the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees in 2022 after being traded there from the Minnesota Twins, but originally came up as the everday third baseman for the Texas Rangers from 2018 up until 2021 before being traded to the Minnesota Twins, and then shortly thereafter that same offseason to the Yankees. IKF struggled defensively for the Yankees, having to learn a new position, but despite that, did post a 2.9 WAR (wins above replacement) with a .314 on-base percentage in 142 games. 

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His best season arguably came in 2024, when he hit .292 and had a .338 on-base percentage in 83 games with Toronto before being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates at the 2024 MLB trade deadline, where his numbers then dipped a bit. However, he was still a productive all-around player. 

IKF in 2025 then split time again between the Pirates and Blue Jays, but ironically returned to Toronto as a waiver claim late in the 2025 season, as they made a push towards what would eventually become winning the American League pennant and a trip to the 2025 World Series. 

IKF Has A Simple Approach At The Plate

IKF is a contact-oriented hitter, in which he ranks in the 91st percentile with a 15.1 whiff percentage and the 77th percentile with a 16.8 K percentage in 2025, according to Baseball Savant. His right-handed hitting approach is designed to put the ball in play and get on base. He is a versatile defender who can cover multiple positions. 

The Red Sox needed another bat in their lineup after the departures of Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman within the last year, and now they’ll bring in a right-handed-hitting infielder in Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, who can cover several different positions and bring more contact to the everyday Red Sox lineup. 

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The specifics of the salary deal are currently unknown. This isn’t a significant needle mover type of deal for the Boston Red Sox. Still, it could be considered a nice depth piece addition to a roster that has made some additions this offseason despite the subtractions, which included signing one of the top free agent pitchers available in left-hander Ranger Suarez, and trading for starting pitcher Sonny Gray and catcher/first baseman Wilson Contreras from the St Louis Cardinals. 

IKF will bring his versatility and right-handed, contact-oriented approach to a Red Sox lineup and infield in 2026 that could use him.

Matt Cunningham Matt Cunningham is an Endicott College Graduate with a Bachelor’s in Sport Management. He is an avid follower of Major League Baseball, a Heavy Sports Contributor for the Yankees and all 30 MLB teams, and a Member of the MLB Fan Council. More about Matt Cunningham

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