Mid-Pacific alumnus Isiah Kiner-Falefa is on the move again, joining the Boston Red Sox on a one-year, $6 million deal.
Kiner-Falefa most recently played for the Toronto Blue Jays, who narrowly lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2025 World Series. The Blue Jays, who hosted Game 7, fell in extra innings to the repeat champions. Kiner-Falefa was called out at home by inches on a potential series-winning run.
Selected by the Texas Rangers in the 2013 MLB Draft, Kiner-Falefa signed with the Rangers and debuted in the Majors in 2018.
Kiner-Falefa's defensive versatility is what has kept him around at the MLB level for nine seasons and counting. After winning the 2020 American League Gold Glove at third base, he has played every position on the field, with the exception of first base.
Kiner-Falefa served as the primary shortstop for the New York Yankees in 2022 and 2023 before signing with the Blue Jays on a two-year, $15 million deal prior to the 2024 season. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 2024 season, but went back to Toronto after the franchise claimed him off waivers following the 2025 MLB trade deadline.
Boston will be the fifth different MLB team Kiner-Falefa's suits up for, though he was briefly a member of the Minnesota Twins via trade in March 2022. The Yankees then traded for Isiah Kiner-Falefa a day later.
Prior to the start of the MLB regular season, teams will take part in spring training. Report day in Florida for Red Sox position players is set for Feb. 15.
Other players with Hawai‘i ties who are expected to begin the 2026 season at the Major League level include Cleveland Guardians pitchers Joey Cantillo (Kailua) and Cade Smith (University of Hawai‘i), as well as Los Angeles Angels pitcher Kirby Yates (Kaua‘i).
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Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
