Detroit could add another former Yankees infielder as trade deadline approaches
The Tigers don't need a superstar. They need a solution.
Detroit's issues on the left side of the infield have been tough to ignore and according to ESPN's Bradford Doolittle, the answer might be a low-profile, high-utility veteran. In a recent deadline preview, Doolittle pegged Pirates infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa as a sensible target to stabilize shortstop or third base.
Advertisement
'A lower-profile move that would really help would be to target a shortstop like Isiah Kiner-Falefa,' Doolittle wrote. 'Whose bat actually improves what Detroit has gotten from the position just in terms of raw production.'
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa records an out at second base and throws to throws to first against the Kansas City Royals at PNC Park on Sept. 13, 2024.Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
It's a fair point.
Kiner-Falefa isn't lighting up leaderboards. The Pirates infielder entered July hitting .276 with a .668 OPS—but he's still outpacing the Tigers' current infield output.
More importantly, he brings versatility, experience, and strong defensive instincts. Now in his eighth season, the 30-year-old has logged innings at short, third, second, and even catcher. He's a former Gold Glove winner with postseason experience, and he rarely looks overwhelmed, no matter the assignment.
Advertisement
He is also a former Yankees shortstop, which means he has playoff experience and doesn't get overwhelmed on the big stage. And the Tigers have had some success with former Yankees infielder with Gleyber Torres having a breakout year.
For a team like Detroit, that matters.
While the Tigers could chase a bigger name, the shortstop market isn't exactly overflowing. If more aggressive options fall through, Kiner-Falefa would still provide immediate, reliable help. He's a plug-and-play piece—someone who could stabilize the left side now and slide into a utility role later.
It's not the kind of move that grabs headlines, but it's a solid upgrade. For a Tigers team running away with AL Central and focusing on the playoffs it's exactly the kind of steadying move that makes a difference in October.
Advertisement
Related: MLB Recognizes Tigers Tarik Skubal's Nasty Week
Related: Is This Power Hitter the Missing Piece for Detroit's Postseason Push?
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Young scores 24 points and Aces roll past Wings
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jackie Young scored 24 points, Jewell Loyd had a strong game off the bench and the Las Vegas Aces beat the Dallas Wings, who rested rookie star Paige Bueckers, 106-80 on Sunday. Loyd came off the bench for the first time in her first season with the Aces to score 20 points, and Kierstan Bell replaced her and scored a career-high 19. The duo combined for seven 3-pointers as Las Vegas hit a season high 15, with five from Young. A'ja Wilson scored 14 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists for Las Vegas (13-13), which snapped a two-game losing skid. NaLyssa Smith scored 11 points. Arike Ogunbowale scored 18 for the Wings (7-19) with Haley Jones adding 15, DiJonai Carrington 14 and Teaira McCowan 12 with 13 rebounds. Young had 14 points on four 3-pointers for the Aces in the first quarter, which ended with the score tied at 27, and the Wings shot 59%. SUN 95, VALKYRIES 64 UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Tina Charles scored 24 points, Bria Hartley and Marina Mabrey both added 15 and last-place Connecticut rolled to a win over Golden State. The Sun (4-20) had a season high for points thanks to season bests of 12 3-pointers, 53% overall shooting (35 of 66) and 14 steals. French rookie Leila Lacan had six steals in just her sixth game. Jacy Sheldon scored 13 points off the bench for the Sun, who turned 24 turnovers into 34 points to end a four-game skid. Charles reached double figures for the 395th time, third in WNBA history behind Diana Taurasi (488) and Tina Thompson (404), and scored 20 points or more for the 185th time, second behind Taurasi (259). She played just 19 minutes. Illana Rupert scored 13 points off the bench for the expansion Valkyries (11-13), who suffered their worst loss in franchise history in their second game since losing All-Star Kayla Thornton to a season-ending knee injury. Veronica Burton added 10 points. Saniya Rivers hit a 3-pointer for a 3-2 lead and the Suns never looked back. It was 23-15 after one quarter and 49-33 at the half. The Sun outscored the Valkyries 46-31 in the second half. Connecticut's previous season high was 93 points in a 10-point win over Seattle prior to the four-game losing streak. The Storm visit the Sun on Monday night. FEVER 93, SKY 78 CHICAGO (AP) — Kelsey Mitchell hit seven 3-pointers and scored 35 points and Indiana defeated Chicago in a marquee matchup on Sunday that was missing stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Clark missed her fourth-straight game for Indiana with a groin injury and has only played in half of the team's games and Reese was out for her second straight for the Sky with a back issue. Aliyah Boston had 14 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for the Fever (14-12), who have three double-figure wins over Chicago this season. Makayla Timpson had 14 points off the bench and Aari McDonald added 10. Mitchell had her 100th career 20-point game, second in franchise history behind Tamika Catchings, and her ninth 30-point game. She also picked up her 200th career steal and the Fever turned 23 turnovers into 31 points.
Yahoo
2 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Young scores 24 points, Loyd and Bell switch roles and Aces roll past Wings 106-80
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jackie Young scored 24 points, Jewell Loyd had a strong game off the bench and the Las Vegas Aces beat the Dallas Wings, who rested rookie star Paige Bueckers, 106-80 on Sunday. Loyd came off the bench for the first time in her first season with the Aces to score 20 points, and Kierstan Bell replaced her and scored a career-high 19. The duo combined for seven 3-pointers as Las Vegas hit a season high 15, with five from Young. A'ja Wilson scored 14 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists for Las Vegas (13-13), which snapped a two-game losing skid. NaLyssa Smith scored 11 points. Arike Ogunbowale scored 18 for the Wings (7-19) with Haley Jones adding 15, DiJonai Carrington 14 and Teaira McCowan 12 with 13 rebounds. Young had 14 points on four 3-pointers for the Aces in the first quarter, which ended with the score tied at 27, and the Wings shot 59%. Bell hit a 3-pointer to put the Aces up 39-36 midway through the second quarter and followed with another as Las Vegas surged to a 56-44 halftime lead. It was the 10th 50-point half Dallas allowed and the second straight. Dallas only had 12 turnovers but the Aces turned those into 26 points while the Wings got 10 points off 10 turnovers. Becky Hammon earned her 100th regular-season win, became the third-fastest coach to reach the milestone in 142 games. ___ AP WNBA:
Yahoo
2 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mike Trout homers to reach 1,000 RBIs as Angels top Mariners 4-1
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mike Trout hit a two-run homer in a four-run fifth inning to reach 1,000 career RBIs, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Seattle Mariners 4-1 on Sunday. Kyle Hendricks (6-7) gave up one run on two hits over six-plus innings and Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth for his 18th save as the Angels earned a split of the four-game series. Cal Raleigh hit his major league-leading 41st home run for the Mariners. The Angels broke a scoreless tie when Kevin Newman's grounder brought home Travis d'Arnaud in the fifth. Luis Rengifo then scored on Logan Gilbert's wild pitch. Trout crushed a 443-foot drive to center field off Gilbert to give him 1,001 RBIs. It was his 397th career homer and 19th this season. Raleigh connected against Hendricks in the seventh, his second home run in two nights and fourth this year against Los Angeles. Hendricks, who had one walk and three strikeouts, won for the first time since June 17. Gilbert (3-4) gave up four runs and three hits over five innings with seven strikeouts. Key moment Angels center fielder Jo Adell kept Seattle off the scoreboard in the sixth when he reached above the wall to take away a home run from J.P. Crawford. Key stat Trout became the third player to get his first 1,000 RBIs entirely in an Angels uniform, following Garret Anderson and Tim Salmon. Up next Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo (7-6, 3.30 ERA) pitches Monday in the opener of a three-game series on the road against the Athletics. The Angels had not announced a scheduled starter for Monday's series opener at home against Texas. ___ AP MLB:
