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MLB

Toronto Blue Jays Bolster Depth With Familiar Face Ahead of 2025 Postseason

Vince Pensabene photo
By Vince Pensabene · 2 min read
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Pittsburgh Pirates
Sep 27, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa (7) fields a ground ball and throws to first base for an out during the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

The Toronto Blue Jays have been one of the best teams in Major League Baseball this season and are currently holding the top spot in the American League East. With the postseason coming closer and the deadline to add players to the roster coming up, the Toronto Blue Jays decided to bolster their roster. Let’s take a deeper dive into who they decided to claim and what it means for the team going forward.

Toronto Blue Jays Claim Isiah Kiner-Falefa Off Waivers

Sep 15, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa (7) high-fives in the dugout after scoring a run against the Kansas City Royals during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Toronto Blue Jays are bringing back a familiar face to the team as they have officially claimed infielder Isiah-Kiner Falefa off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Teams have until Aug. 31 to have players in their organization to be eligible for the postseason and now Kiner-Falefa can be part of the Blue Jays for September and the playoffs. He is an unrestricted free agent following the season and is making his return to Toronto after spending 83 games with the Blue Jays last season before being dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Kiner-Falefa is a below-average offensive player with a 77 OPS+ with a .264/.300/.332 slash line while adding a home run, 35 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases on 16 attempts with the Pirates this year. However, he is a plus defender who has played both shortstop and third base this year as well. This gives Toronto another veteran on the roster heading into the playoffs with experience playing in big games as well as a late-inning defender off the bench if they utilize him that way.

It is unclear if he will be primarily playing at shortstop or third base or what the corresponding roster move will be to get him on the 26-man roster. With Sept. 1 allowing teams to expand their rosters from 26 to 28, there is a chance no one is sent down as a result of this move. It will be interesting to see how Isiah Kiner-Falefa does back in Toronto in the midst of a playoff push.

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