The Blue Jays signed free agent Isiah Kiner-Falefa
In another key offseason move by the Jays, they signed utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a two-year, $15 M contract. At the time, it appeared to be a smart move as Kiner-Falefa has the ability to play multiple positions in both the infield and outfield. As a result, he would provide great flexibility for the Jays in his deployment heading into the 2024 season. As an added bonus, he also has a Gold Glove as part of his résumé, proving that he could be a difference maker in the field.
In spring training, Kiner-Falefa showed some mixed results as despite hitting .341 with a .920 OPS, along with driving in 7 runs in 19 games, he also was caught stealing on 3 of his 4 attempts while striking out close to a 30% rate. So far during the regular season, he hasn’t been as bad as some of the numbers that his other teammates have been putting up, but he has compiled just a .200 average, .533 OPS with only a single run scored, zero extra-base hits and zero RBI in 8 games of action. But with regards to his defense, at least he has been spotless along with 3 DRS with starts at second and third base.
Whether he was suppose to be a replacement for the departed super-utilityman Whit Merrifield, or perhaps even the replacement for Chapman at third base is yet to be known. But Kiner-Falefa has been somewhat of a disappointment offensively so far in his tenure with the Jays. With a lifetime OPS of .660, along with never driving in more than 53 runs in a single season, his overall offensive production probably won’t ever reach the levels of a Merrifield or Chapman. So in effect, the Jays have actually downgraded their offensive potential this season as a result. If their recent series against the Astros is any true indication of how their offense could pan out for the rest of the year, then the Jays’ failure in adding more power-producing bats in favour of more defensive specialists will certainly come back to bite them as the season progresses.