The New York Yankees could use some help in the infield as DJ LeMahieu continues to struggle. Perhaps a reunion with a Gold Glover could be in the cards.
LeMahieu has slashed .248/.322/.330 in 38 games this year. He no longer looks like a reliable starter. CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson tabbed the Yankees as a potential landing spot for Isiah Kiner-Falefa of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has started 70 games this year, playing shortstop all but once this season.
He is a versatile defender and spent two seasons with the Yankees. He won a Gold Glove Award in 2020 with the Texas Rangers. He could be an option for the Yankees at second or third base if they want to reduce LeMahieu’s playing time.
“Kiner-Falefa is a glove-first infielder with limited offensive value,” wrote Anderson. “He won’t walk and he can’t slug, but he is skilled at putting the bat on the ball and that counts for something. There aren’t many realistic shortstop trade candidates, so he should find himself on the move for a second deadline in a row.”
The Yankees are already reported to have interest in Kiner-Falefa, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
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“The New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants are keeping a close eye on versatile Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who should be available at the trade deadline,” wrote Nightengale.
He would be inexpensive, will be a free agent after the year and is on one of the few teams already out of contention. Kiner-Falefa is slashing .276/.320/.347. His batting average and defense would both be better than LeMahieu’s for the Yankees at second base. If the Yankees want to make LeMahieu a full-time bench player, Kiner-Falefa could play third base and allow Chisholm to move back to second base, where he is a better defender.
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