A former Yankees Utility Player Signs a contract with the Blue Jays, Their Division Rival
This offseason, the New York Yankees are starting over with a new roster. It would not have been acceptable to not retool going into 2024 after a dismal season in which they finished fourth in the AL East and two games above 500.
The Yankees acquired Juan Soto with great fanfare, and they are still actively seeking free agents.
Other players on the roster typically have to find new homes when new players are added.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, the former utility man for New York, is in such a circumstance now that he is a free agent after the 2023 campaign.
The 28-year-old infielder/outfielder has agreed to a two-year, $15 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, the Yankees’ division foe, according to Robert Murray of FanSided.
In exchange for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela, Kiner-Falefa was acquired by the Minnesota Twins in a transaction that also sent third baseman Josh Donaldson and catcher Ben Rortvedt to New York in 2022.
With the Yankees for two seasons, the adaptable defender hit.253/.311/.333 with 10 home runs and 85 RBI. He was a consistent starter in the lineup, appearing in 255 of 324 games.
Regretfully, he never produced with his bat at a level that was valuable in the long run. With an OPS+ of 81, Kiner-Falefa is 19 percentage points less than the typical MLB hitter.
He was New York’s starter shortstop in 2022, but before 2023, rookie Anthony Volpe took over, and he was moved to utility position.
The former Yankee will now play for the Blue Jays in the AL East division as he continues his professional career.
