Red Sox Secure Isiah Kiner-Falefa in One-Year Free Agent Deal
The Boston Red Sox have secured a one-year contract with Isiah Kiner-Falefa as part of their strategy to enhance the infield ahead of the upcoming season. Kiner-Falefa, a versatile player with experience across multiple positions, is set to earn a salary of $6 million for 2026, along with an additional $500,000 available through performance incentives related to his plate appearances.
Contract Details and Background
This agreement is pending a physical examination. Kiner-Falefa, who will turn 31 next month, played 138 games in 2025 while splitting time between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays. His versatility is evident, as he played primarily at shortstop, but also covered third base and second base extensively.
- Position breakdown in 2025:
- Shortstop: 817 innings
- Third Base: 211.2 innings
- Second Base: 26.1 innings
The Red Sox currently face openings at second and third base following the departure of Alex Bregman to the Chicago Cubs. Kiner-Falefa will compete for these roles along with Marcelo Mayer and other internal candidates like Romy Gonzalez, David Hamilton, Nate Eaton, and Nick Sogard.
Defensive and Offensive Skills
Kiner-Falefa is widely recognized for his defensive prowess. His notable achievements include:
- 12 defensive runs saved in 573.2 innings at second base
- 29 defensive runs saved in 1,181 innings at third base
- Gold Glove winner at third base in 2020
However, his defensive metrics in 2025 did not rank particularly high according to Statcast. Offensively, Kiner-Falefa has shown variability. He batted .262 with two home runs, 21 doubles, and 40 RBIs last season, contributing to a .631 OPS. His career OPS stands at .660, with 36 home runs across 918 games. He has maintained a consistent strikeout rate of 15.7% throughout his career, although he experienced a dip in performance towards the end of last season with Toronto.
Strategic Implications for the Red Sox
In light of Bregman’s exit, the Red Sox are exploring various strategies to strengthen their infield. Rumored candidates include Isaac Paredes of Houston and the Chicago Cubs’ Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw. However, the team did not pursue Eugenio Suárez, who recently signed with Cincinnati for one year at $15 million.
General Manager Craig Breslow appears to prioritize defensive capabilities over offensive stats with the Kiner-Falefa addition. Furthermore, the Red Sox have adjusted their financial strategy to maintain a competitive balance tax (CBT) threshold. Following a trade involving Jordan Hicks, David Sandlin, and financial considerations, they managed to reduce their CBT to approximately $261 million.
Now, projections place it slightly above $267 million. The Red Sox may consider additional trades involving players like Patrick Sandoval and Masataka Yoshida. With an open spot on their 40-man roster, Kiner-Falefa’s addition will not necessitate any roster cuts. Earlier, the organization also acquired catcher/infielder Mickey Gasper off waivers from Washington.
