TAMPA — IKF’s Comments Create Waves

I guess IKF is stirring the pot again, huh?

That seems to be the sentiment, especially regarding Aaron Boone’s reaction to Isaiah Kiner-Falefa’s recent remarks about the Blue Jays viewing the Yankees as a tougher team than the Red Sox during last year’s ALDS.

But Boone seemed pretty disinclined to engage in any back-and-forth with former players.

“Yeah, I think he might be right,” Boone remarked on Wednesday at Steinbrenner Field. “I shouldn’t say I’m surprised he said that, but it is what it is.”

Kiner-Falefa, who only participated in one of the four games during the ALDS where the Blue Jays swept the Yankees, shared this insight on his first day as a Red Sox player. New teammates Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras had also hinted at the rivalry during their early comments in Boston.

Despite the Yankees taking down the Red Sox in the American League Wild Card Series, Kiner-Falefa mentioned a keen interest in the Blue Jays, especially since they had a bye and awaited the winner of that series.

“I figured it would have been a better matchup for us if we’d faced the Yankees instead,” Kiner-Falefa stated in Fort Myers, Florida, as reported by The Athletic. “We were watching [Garrett] Crochet… it was quite something.”

He added, “I think we only dropped two out of three games against Boston. That really put us either behind or in a tie for first place in the American League East by late September. So, we honestly believed Boston was a tougher matchup for us. Seeing how the other teams performed was definitely a hot topic.”

Perhaps it’s not that off-base since the Blue Jays had quite a grip on the Yankees during the regular season—especially at Rogers Center.

When asked if Kiner-Falefa’s comments bothered him, Boone asserted it wasn’t a big deal, although he sounded a bit miffed.

“Honestly, not really,” Boone replied. “You’ve just got to play whoever’s in front of you.”

In other news, Paul Goldschmidt wasn’t ready to share if he had any offers from other teams to play first base but indicated he’s pleased to return to the Yankees as a backup behind first baseman Ben Rice.

“Honestly, when last season wrapped up, I was hoping my time here wasn’t finished because I’ve had such a blast,” Goldschmidt expressed. He’s inked a one-year, $4 million deal, though it hadn’t been officially publicized by Wednesday. “I’m sure Benny is looking at most of the playing time there. I’m good with whatever role they need me in and ready to step in whenever I’m called.”

Boone mentioned that he expects pitchers, catchers, and all World Baseball Classic participants to report as planned on Wednesday, with position players set to join on Sunday.