Yankees Free Agent Infielder May Have Potential Landing Spot

Isiah Kiner-Falefa can hit the open market this season as a free agent and there's an East Coast team that has made it clear they're looking for a shortstop.

New York Yankees utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa is set to hit the free-agent market after this season.

Yankees fans know the six-year vet can play just about anywhere. But, in 2021 and 2022 he played a combined 294 games at shortstop — 156 with the Texas Rangers in 2021 and then 138 more with the Yankees in 2022.

This season? He’s played every position except first base and catcher.

So, as Kiner-Falefa hits the free-agent market after this season, it’s possible his best shot at a multi-year deal might be at shortstop, where he’s played 312 career games, his most at any one position.

If the Hawaii native wants a full-time job at shortstop, one of his best shots may be on the East Coast, albeit in the National League.

Per the Miami Herald, the Miami Marlins will be looking to upgrade at shortstop this offseason. The Marlins have started Joey Wendle there this season, who will be a free agent. The Marlins could try to bring him back, but the 33-year-old is batting under .225 entering the waning stages of the season.

The Marlins have potential internal options in Jon Berti, Garrett Hampson and Jacob Amaya.

The 2023 offseason won’t be like last offseason, at least when it comes to shortstop, where an incredible amount of money has been written into contracts for middle infielders the past two offseason. In fact, it was the Rangers’ 10-year, $325 million deal with Corey Seager two years ago that displaced Kiner-Falefa, leading the Rangers to trade him to the Twins, and the Twins to trade him to the Yankees.

This is considered a weak infielder market this offseason. Kiner-Falefa’s versatility opens his options, but his experience at shortstop makes him attractive to teams like the Marlins who may need one.

While his numbers are down a bit this year, it’s reflective to look at his offensive numbers in the two seasons he was a regular shortstop.

With the Rangers in 2021 he batted .271 with eight home runs and 53 RBI. The home runs and RBI were career highs. With the Yankees the following season, he batted .261 with four home runs and 48 RBI.

If he hits the market, he could draw interest from teams like the Marlins that need help at his best position.