Desperate Yankees Urged To Avoid Reunion With $15 Million Infielder
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The New York Yankees desperately need to add an infielder to fill in at third base. The hot corner has been a massive hole in the Bronx for weeks now, and the front office needs to find a solid upgrade before the trade deadline passes by in a week and a half.
FanSided's Rucker Haringey recently urged the Yankees to steer clear of a potential trade for Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa to fill the hole at third base. Kiner-Falefa spent two years with the Yankees earlier in his career and was notoriously controversial among fans.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 06: Isiah Kiner-Falefa #7 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on during the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on July 06, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners won...
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 06: Isiah Kiner-Falefa #7 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on during the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on July 06, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners won 1-0. More"In sharp contrast to Reynolds, Isiah Kiner-Falefa is a Pirate who is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career. That sets the versatile infielder up as an intriguing trade targets for teams looking for help ahead of the deadline," Haringey wrote. "In theory, the Yankees might see Kiner-Falefa as someone who can provide them more production at shortstop than Anthony Volpe.
"The problem with that idea is that Kiner-Falefa doesn't possess enough upside to justify the prospect capital Pittsburgh will require to land him. The Yankees need to keep their powder dry at shortstop to focus on other positions. Kiner-Falefa's defensive weakness would also undo a lot of the good work Cashman and company have done to upgrade their infield gloves.
Adding Kiner-Falefa would be a slight upgrade, and it would come very cheap for the Yankees, but it's not the right move to make.
The Yankees aren't going to win the World Series if they try to make a bunch of cheap trades at the deadline.
Plus, Kiner-Falefa was disliked by a majority of the fan base when he played in the Bronx. He might hit for a solid average now, but his power numbers and defense struggle. He's not the right fit at the hot corner in the Bronx.
More MLB: Braves Expected To Consider Trading $73 Million All-Star: Report
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