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.
“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.
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