The Importance of the Isiah Kiner-Falefa Signing

Many Blue Jays fans have voiced their disliking of Toronto’s 2-year, $15 million signing of utility-man Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Kiner-Falefa began his career in 2018 with the Texas Rangers until he was traded from the Rangers to the Twins in 2022. In the same offseason, he was packaged with Josh Donaldson in a trade to the Yankees. Kiner-Falefa had been a Yankee ever since. The utility-man will likely serve as a Whit Merrifield replacement, as IKF’s defensive versatility and offensive production are very similar to Merrifield. 

IKF tallied an 82 wRC+, .646 OPS, 14 stolen bases, and a pitiful 0.2 Fangraphs WAR. Kiner-Falefa was able to increase his BB% by 1.2% from 2022 to 2023. While Kiner-Falefa wasn’t very productive on the offensive side, his defence on the left side of the infield was solid. He tallied 4 DRS at 3B and SS in 2023. While his outfield stats weren’t as solid, he is still able to provide that defensive versatility that Merrifield was able to show in 2023. 

The addition of Isiah Kiner-Falefa is not the end-all, be-all of the offseason. It is likely that Kiner-Falefa will serve as a depth option/occasional starter in 2024. This shows that the Blue Jays have money to spend and that more moves are coming.

Many Blue Jays fans believe that infielder Ernie Clement (Blue Jay in 2023) would serve the same purpose as Isiah Kiner-Falefa and would be much cheaper. Clement tallied a 0.6 Fangraphs WAR (better than IKF) in only 30 games. In 2023, Clement had 4 DRS at shortstop in 100.0 innings. In 2022, Clement also had 4 DRS at 3B in 201.1 innings. Finally, Clement showed defensive versatility of his own. He’s tallied 86 innings of outfield work with 1 DRS in his young career. 

Overall, the IKF signing is important to fill the absence of Whit Merrifield. Kiner-Falefa will likely have a large role at the beginning of the season until some of the Blue Jays top infield prospects are called up, such as 3B Orelvis Martinez. His high OBP, defensive versatility and production, and his ability to steal bases are all needed in a lineup filled with sluggers like the Toronto Blue Jays’ starting 9.