Well, we wanted transactions, so the Blue Jays went out and got Isiah Kiner-Falefa. It was reported by KingSarcasm (@HavokAndrew on Twitter) that the Jays are in agreement with the super utility player for a two-year, $15 million deal....
Well, we wanted transactions, so the Blue Jays went out and got Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
It was reported by KingSarcasm (@HavokAndrew on Twitter) that the Jays are in agreement with the super utility player for a two-year, $15 million deal. This was confirmed by FanSided�s Robert Murray, who also added that Kiner-Falefa has $1 million in incentives.
A close source has indicated that Isiah Kiner-Falefa has signed a contract with the Jays at 2 years 15M. This source is very confident that this is pending and news will break shortly pending physicals.
I am also going to be 90% certain that this has happened.
Thoughts on this pic.twitter.com/KWA6Q49ASc
� KingSarcasm (@HavokAndrew) December 27, 2023
So yeah, there�s a lot to take away from this signing. Kiner-Falefa is not, and never has been good with the bat. For his career, the 28-year-old has a .261/.306/.340 slash line with 26 homers in 2415 plate appearances for a career 82 wRC+. Thankfully, he doesn�t strikeout a ton as he has a career 15.5 K%, but the lack of power is concerning.
Kiner-Falefa�s bread and butter is his defence. Last season with the New York Yankees, he played his first 566.1 professional innings in the outfield, and had -4 Defensive Runs Saved and -2 Outs Above Average. Not great, but he�s a natural infielder and has a career 25 DRS and -6 OAA in 2691 innings at shortstop. Moreover, he has 19 DRS and 22 OAA in 1207.1 innings at third base.
Will Kiner-Falefa be the Blue Jays everyday third baseman? Let�s hope not, as the bat doesn�t really play there as he�s never hit double digit homers in his career. Where his bat does play though, is if he�s used in a super utility role. Throughout his career, he�s played every position except for first base, and that includes catcher and pitcher (he pitched four innings with the Yankees last season).
IKF belts a homer after pitching a scoreless ninth
The new Ohtani. pic.twitter.com/hJWx16AGDD
� Talkin� Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 23, 2023
This is a good signing, although the term and pay may be a little bit too high for my liking. However, the Blue Jays will still have to make a big acquisition at some point this season. They can�t go into 2024 with only Kevin Kiermaier and Kiner-Falefa as their acquisitions, as they are a significantly worse team for it.
I�d be expecting the Jays to trade one of their infielders, perhaps Cavan Biggio or Santiago Espinal, so that Kiner-Falefa can take over this role.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads @Brennan_L_D.
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