After dropping out on two of the perfect infielders on the free agent market, Alex Bregman (Chicago Cubs) and Bo Bichette (New York Mets), the Boston Crimson Sox have lacked a beginning third baseman and second baseman.
Needing to pivot, the Crimson Sox have discovered the reply to their issues in journeyman infielder and 2020 Gold Glove winner Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who, in line with ESPN’s Jeff Passan, is finalizing a one-year deal. Signing Kiner-Falefa doesn’t have an effect on the Crimson Sox’s 40-man roster, as they’ve an open spot, in line with Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.
Kiner-Falefa rejoins the acquainted confines of the American League East after spending 4 out of his first eight seasons with the New York Yankees. Kiner-Falefa spent 2025 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays, the place he hit .262 with an OPS of .631 in 138 video games.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa presents the Crimson Sox a good stopgap of their infield
Primarily a shortstop in his profession, with seven seasons with a optimistic 10 defensive runs saved, Kiner-Falefa additionally performs third base (19 DRS) and second base (25 DRS), which fills the holes the Crimson Sox wanted. Kiner-Falefa will probably turn out to be the Crimson Sox’s beginning second baseman, with Marcelo Mayer (.228) prone to get the on a regular basis reps at third base rather than Bregman.
Not the star the Crimson Sox had been looking for, Kiner-Falefa presents an ideal stopgap for the Crimson Sox’s infield woes till second baseman Kristian Campbell proves he may be the on a regular basis over on the keystone place. Not dwelling as much as his eight-year ($60 million) contract, which he signed final season and hit .223 with a .664 OPS in 67 video games following, Campbell can develop as a second baseman with Kiner-Falefa on the roster.
