The shortstop market is a hot topic as the MLB season approaches, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa is at the center of it. With a career slash line of .262/.311/.349 across eight seasons in the majors, Kiner-Falefa has been a valuable asset to any team. But who will sign him? Let's take a closer look at some of the options and explore the possibilities. But here's where it gets controversial...
The Athletics:
The A's were reportedly interested in Nolan Arenado, but backed off when it seemed as though Arenado might wield his no-trade protection to block a deal. Kiner-Falefa's .279 wOBA last year is just eight points lower than Arenado's, and FanGraphs rates them as comparably valuable on defense last year. Kiner-Falefa could serve as a veteran anchor to help fill out the infield alongside Jeff McNeil and Jacob Wilson, while also being a player that's comfortable moving to a utility role if needed.
The Atlanta Braves:
Ha-Seong Kim is sidelined through at least May, which has changed the outlook of the Braves' infield mix. Now the team figures to rely on Mauricio Dubon and Jorge Mateo at shortstop to open the season, while also crossing their fingers for rebounds from Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley at second and third base respectively. Kiner-Falefa can provide some stability. If added to the mix, he'd allow Dubon to see more time in the outfield and allow the team to lean less heavily on Mateo's services.
The Boston Red Sox:
Kiner-Falefa suiting up for the Red Sox would surely come as a disappointment to fans in Boston, as he’d be (at least nominally) replacing Alex Bregman. The Red Sox have indicated that they might prioritize defense over offense when filling out their infield mix, and being able to mix and match between Marcelo Mayer, David Hamilton, Romy Gonzalez, and Kiner-Falefa on the dirt as needed alongside Trevor Story and Willson Contreras would be a decent budget option if the team fails to land a more notable upgrade.
The Cleveland Guardians:
The Guardians could do with an upgrade over Brayan Rocchio and Gabriel Arias up the middle. Kiner-Falefa wouldn’t be a slam-dunk upgrade but could provide some depth without blocking Travis Bazzana or any of the team’s other young infielders. However, for a team in need of some serious offensive help, Kiner-Falefa wouldn’t really move the needle.
Other Options:
The Mariners have flirted with the idea of adding an infielder to keep the seats warm for Colt Emerson and Cole Young, though it should be noted that internal options may be preferred over adding a more established veteran. The Angels currently have Yoan Moncada, Vaughn Grissom, and Oswald Peraza penciled into their infield. Kiner-Falefa would likely offer a higher floor than any of those players, but Anaheim remains at least theoretically focused on getting Mike Trout back to the postseason and will need to prioritize upside in order to make that happen.
Where do MLBTR readers think Kiner-Falefa will eventually land? Could he serve as an affordable starter for a team like the Guardians, A's, or Nationals? Or would he be better served in a part-time role with a bigger market club like the Braves or Red Sox? Have your say in the poll below: View Comments (2).
