Boston Red Sox
Kiner-Falefa is a former Gold Glove winner, but doesn’t have a lot of pop at the plate.
Isaiah Kiner-Falefa is a plus infield defender, but doesn’t have a lot of pop at the plate. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
The Red Sox are reportedly bolstering their infield with a versatile veteran just ahead of spring training.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Red Sox have signed Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a one-year contract — with the former Yankee expected to log reps all across Boston’s infield.
Kiner-Falefa is coming off of a 2025 season where appeared in 138 games with both the Pirates and Blue Jays — earning a significant amount of playing time between shortstop, third base, and second base.
The Red Sox have a need for an infielder at both second and third base — especially after the team lost out on Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette in free agency. Kiner-Falefa, 30, is a plus defender — taking home a Gold Glove during the 2020 season with Texas.
But he’s more of a wild card at the plate — batting .262 with two home runs and 40 RBI this past season.
If the Red Sox want to just add a defensive asset who could shore up some of Boston’s leaky defensive play at second base, Kiner-Falefa could offer some value.
Still, the Red Sox are still in desperate need for more pop at the plate, especially if they intend on rolling with him at second and sticking Marcelo Mayer at third base.
The Red Sox also have Romy Gonzalez, David Hamilton, and Nick Sogard as viable infield options — especially when it comes to sharing reps at second with Kiner-Falefa.
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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