Latest news with #Kiner-Falefa
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
MLB Insider Tags Pirates Shortstop As Best Available With Market Shortage
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Pittsburgh Pirates sit at the bottom of the National League Central and are looking to acquire pieces for the future around Paul Skenes and Oneil Cruz. With the trade deadline next week, the Pirates have the best shortstop on the market in Isiah Kiner-Falefa, according to Mark Feinsand. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 06: Isiah Kiner-Falefa #7 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws to first base for an out during the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on July 06, 2025 in... SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 06: Isiah Kiner-Falefa #7 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws to first base for an out during the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on July 06, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. More Kiner-Falefa was traded last season to the Pirates from the Toronto Blue Jays and is looking like he could be on the move again. The market is low on shortstops, and with the Pirates looking to sell, they could move Kiner-Falefa if they get an offer for him, but there isn't much demand for the position. Kiner-Falefa is hitting .271 with just one home run for the Pirates this season and is a free agent at the end of the year. The Pirates middle infielder could be traded to a team that misses out on the third base market, as he has played the position before, but according to Feinsand, his buzz is low. The Pirates likely have high-priority trade chips that they want to move before discussing a trade involving Kiner-Falefa, which likely won't net them much return. Kiner-Falefa could be an option for the New York Yankees if they miss out on Eugenio Suárez of the Arizona Diamondbacks to fill their need at third base. If Kiner-Falefa were to be moved, it would likely come in the waning moments of the deadline as a team that missed out needs to pick up a consolation prize before trades are frozen. More MLB: Royals Reportedly Willing To Trade, Looking To Compete Next Year
Newsweek
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Desperate Yankees Urged To Avoid Reunion With $15 Million Infielder
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. 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
Newsweek
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Yankees Reunion? Why Latest Trade Buzz Makes Sense For Bronx Bombers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The New York Yankees desperately need to add a third baseman. With Oswaldo Cabrera going down with a leg injury earlier in the year, the Yankees have been left with little depth at the hot corner. Jorbit Vivas has filled in, but he hasn't been great, by any means. It's likely the Yankees will hit the trade market rather hard in the coming weeks. Just Baseball's Giovanni Panicola recently suggested the Yankees could trade for Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Kiner-Falefa played 255 games with the Yankees in 2022 and 2023. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JULY 11: Isiah Kiner-Falefa #7 of the Pittsburgh Pirates steals second base against Brooks Lee #2 of the Minnesota Twins in the second inning at Target Field on July 11, 2025 in... MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JULY 11: Isiah Kiner-Falefa #7 of the Pittsburgh Pirates steals second base against Brooks Lee #2 of the Minnesota Twins in the second inning at Target Field on July 11, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. More"IKF is a familiar face that didn't have the best Yankees tenure, but he has improved since his time in pinstripes," Panicola wrote. "He can bring versatility and bolster the third base position with proven Gold Glove defense and a little below-average offensive production. "IKF is hitting .274/.318/.339 with a wRC+ of 84, which is a significant upgrade to what the Yankees are getting right now. He looks to bring a steady, small-ball presence, similar to that of DJ LeMahieu's offensive production before he was released, with a better ability to field the position." Yankees fans might not want to hear this name connected to their team in trade buzz, but it makes a lot of sense. First of all, Kiner-Falefa is already familiar with the pinstripes, the fan base, the city, the clubhouse, and some of the team. He's a sound defender with a decent bat this season. The Yankees wouldn't be trading for him as a huge addition, but he would fill a role that needs to be filled. If the Bronx Bombers fail to add Eugenio Suárez, who's likely their top target at third base, falling back on a reunion with Kiner-Falefa would be a fine option. Again, it wouldn't be a blockbuster deal, but it would be very affordable, and it would give the Yankees an upgrade. More MLB: Luis Robert Jr. Trade? Why Latest Reds Trade Rumors Make Perfect Sense
14-06-2025
- Sport
Kiner-Falefa hits a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning as the Pirates top the Cubs 2-1
CHICAGO -- Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning to help the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1 on Friday. The Pirates loaded the bases in the 10th on Ke'Bryan Hayes' infield single and a walk to Henry Davis. Kiner-Falefa then drove in Adam Frazier with a flyball to left off Drew Pomeranz (2-1). Kiner-Falefa also threw out Ian Happ when he attempted to score from first on Kyle Tucker's two-out double in the fifth inning. Dennis Santana (2-1) got five outs for the win, and David Bednar worked a perfect 10th for his 10th save. Pirates ace Paul Skenes struck out five in five scoreless innings. He allowed four hits and walked two while throwing 95 pitches, 60 for strikes. Skenes was matched by Cade Horton, who permitted three hits in 5 2/3 shutout innings for the NL Central leaders. Each team scored in the eighth. The Pirates jumped in front when Davis scored on Oneil Cruz's chopper near the mound. Reliever Brad Keller made an errant throw to the plate. The Cubs put runners on second and third with one out in the bottom half, and Dansby Swanson drove in Kyle Tucker when he bounced to Kiner-Falefa at shortstop for a fielder's choice. Santana worked a perfect ninth before Bednar retired the side in order in the 10th. Skenes has allowed a total of five earned runs in 47 1/3 innings over his last seven starts. But he has just one win in that stretch. The series continues Saturday afternoon when Pirates right-hander Mike Burrows (1-1, 5.00 ERA) faces lefty Matthew Boyd (5-3, 2.89 ERA). ___
San Francisco Chronicle
13-06-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Kiner-Falefa hits a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning as the Pirates top the Cubs 2-1
CHICAGO (AP) — Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning to help the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1 on Friday. The Pirates loaded the bases in the 10th on Ke'Bryan Hayes' infield single and a walk to Henry Davis. Kiner-Falefa then drove in Adam Frazier with a flyball to left off Drew Pomeranz (2-1). Kiner-Falefa also threw out Ian Happ when he attempted to score from first on Kyle Tucker's two-out double in the fifth inning. Dennis Santana (2-1) got five outs for the win, and David Bednar worked a perfect 10th for his 10th save. Pirates ace Paul Skenes struck out five in five scoreless innings. He allowed four hits and walked two while throwing 95 pitches, 60 for strikes. Skenes was matched by Cade Horton, who permitted three hits in 5 2/3 shutout innings for the NL Central leaders. Each team scored in the eighth. The Pirates jumped in front when Davis scored on Oneil Cruz's chopper near the mound. Reliever Brad Keller made an errant throw to the plate. The Cubs put runners on second and third with one out in the bottom half, and Dansby Swanson drove in Kyle Tucker when he bounced to Kiner-Falefa at shortstop for a fielder's choice. Key moment Santana worked a perfect ninth before Bednar retired the side in order in the 10th. Key stat Skenes has allowed a total of five earned runs in 47 1/3 innings over his last seven starts. But he has just one win in that stretch. Up next The series continues Saturday afternoon when Pirates right-hander Mike Burrows (1-1, 5.00 ERA) faces lefty Matthew Boyd (5-3, 2.89 ERA). ___
