The 2023 lost season served as a lesson for the New York Yankees to understand what combination works and does not fit in for them. Thus, ahead of the off-season, the club parted ways with several arbitration-eligible players. While Kyle Higahioka was traded to the San Diego Padres, Luis Severino found a new home at the Mets.
Having said that, the New York Yankees also walked many players to free agency, including utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa. IKF survived multiple trade threats during his average tenure in the Bronx. However, Kiner-Falefa saw him getting sidelined in the latter half of the year due to the youth influx. Regardless, the IKF has succeeded in finding a new home with an AL-East rival of the Yanks.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa Headed To Toronto On A Two-Year Deal!
Shortstop turned infielder turned utility player Isiah Kiner Falefa played at almost every position for the New York Yankees in 2023. After Anthony Volpe stole his shortstop position, IKF resorted to extreme means to remain valuable to his team. However, a youth influx late into the regular season played spoilsport as Kiner-Falefa began counting his days in the Bronx. While the utility man was desperate to extend his stay as a Yankee, the team’s roster combination didn’t allow the same. Thus, the Bronx Bombers let IKF walk to free agency. Having said that, interestingly, the former Yankee garnered interest from as many as 12 teams. His newly discovered utility skills surely impacted his free agency stakes.
Regardless, Isiah Kiner-Falefa seems to have finally come to a decision. As per multiple MLB insiders, IKF and Toronto Blue Jays are currently in agreement on a two-year $15 million contract. Moreover, the word is that formalities are done, and the acquisition will be formally announced after the arrival of medical reports. The Blue Jays needed reinforcements after it failed to land big man Shohei Ohtani this off-season. Despite riding as favorites, the LA Dodgers eventually won the sweepstakes. On the other hand, the Yankees must be having mixed feelings. While IKF never lived up to the set standards, his commitment to the franchise really stood out. He fought to remain a Yankee till the end, but contract and roster complications unfortunately didn’t allow.
Yankees Former Veteran Backstop Sends Heartwarming Message For Fans!
Besides IKF, the New York Yankees also lost veteran catcher Kyle Higashioka this off-season. He was a part of the trade package that landed Juan Soto in the Bronx. However, Higashioka has no hard feelings. He spoke with the New York Post over the phone on Wednesday and said a big thank you to the Yankee fanbase. “I don’t know if any non-everyday player feels that kind of love and support from a fan base in many other areas,” opined Higashioka.
The catcher further added that owing to his struggle in the minors, he never believed that he would get to don the pinstripes in the major league. Not only that, but Kyle Higashioka would have been okay if his career had ended as a Yankee. But ultimately, he is thankful to the organization for granting him the platform to grow into an elite baseball catcher. “That’s the organization that made me the player that I am,” Higashioka said.
