TAMPA — With DJ LeMahieu’s foot contusion jeopardizing his availability on Opening Day, the Yankees could likely use a Gold Glove-winning third baseman like the one who played all over the field last season. Dew.
But Isiah Kiner-Falefa is now in his second year with the Blue Jays after a strange two seasons in the Bronx where he was the player fans expected, including boos in the Bronx, a disappointing tenure as a shortstop, and a rarely seen recovery. He has a contract worth a total of $15 million. We got a lot of that fan base back.
When Kinner-Falefa looks back on his two years with the Yankees, the 2022 hecklers aren’t the first thing that comes to mind.
His mind doesn’t immediately flash back to a strange 2023, when he was a rare bright spot playing just about anywhere on a disappointing team.
The moment he jumped out at me was on June 14 of last year, when he kept running at third base, but relief pitcher Brooks Lally didn’t notice him.
Kinel Falefa took off and stole home, the first Yankees to do so in about seven years.
“I loved stealing home,” Kiner Falefa said before the Yankees defeated the Blue Jays, 10-9, at Steinbrenner Field this weekend. “His Subway series felt greater than any of his playoff games I’ve played.”
Kinner-Falefa grew up in Hawaii as a Yankees fan, and after being traded in March, he realized his dream of becoming the team’s shortstop in 2022, but he struggled defensively and couldn’t hit hard enough, earning him the ire of fans. became the focus.
Kinel Falefa ultimately lost his spot during the playoffs, and Anthony Volpe took over the following season.
But Kinel Falefa went from opponent to fan favorite, turning into a super utility player who proved he could play any position in the infield or outfield.
He played most often in center field, but has played everywhere except catcher and first base.
Kinel Falefa played solid, if not spectacular (.646 OPS in 113 games) and maintained constant contact against an offense that was outmatched in virtually every way. It was a rare trait on the team.
“It’s the biggest blessing of all time,” the bearded Kinner-Falefa said of his time with the Yankees. “Being able to get the experience of playing in New York is really great. That experience allowed me to learn in two years what probably would have taken me five or 10 years. …Learning from them. It helped me a lot.”
Kinner-Falefa plays on a team in Toronto that has young stars and a better path to playing time.
IKF says he’s getting reps from all over, but it looks like he’ll be their everyday third baseman.
On Saturday, before the game, he and non-registered player Eduardo Escobar took turns at third base and threw a ball over the diamond to non-registered player Daniel Vogelbach in a very New York-esque scene.
Kinel Falefa is happy after a grateful 2023 season filled with sporadic minutes.
IKF said, “I’m happy to be able to join the lineup.” “The biggest thing for me is just getting the chance. I’m pretty excited.”
