Ex-Yankees infielder signs with rival team

Aug 14, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a New York Yankees hat and glove on the bench against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees are experiencing a defection (albeit one they might not be too mad about).

Robert Murray of FanSided reports on Wednesday that former Yankees infelder Isiah Kiner-Falefa has signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in free agency. Kiner-Falefa is getting a two-year, $15 million contract from Toronto (with $1 million in reported incentives).

The 28-year-old Kiner-Falefa had spent the last two seasons with the Yankees. He operated exclusively as a shortstop in 2022 but moved into more of a utility role in 2023, playing at third base and in the outfield. But Kiner-Falefa was still barely a replacement-level player, hitting .242 with six home runs, 37 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases over 113 games last season.

A Gold Glove winner with the Texas Rangers in 2020, Kiner-Falefa might be more useful for a Blue Jays team with some notable holes right now thanks to Matt Chapman and Whit Merrifield still being free agents. The good news too for IKF is that he can now reverse the big change he made upon joining the Yankees.