Returning Blue Jays player ready to do anything to help the team win

When the Toronto Blue Jays sputtered during their 2024 season, they managed to still have a few bright spots in their lineup. One of those players was utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa, a player that Toronto had brought in during the 2023-24 offseason to help make the team better. Kiner-Falefa did his part in giving the club a chance at winning, but it wasn’t meant to be as he was eventually moved at the trade deadline to recoup young assets for the organization.

Not everyone gets second chances, but Kiner-Falefa certainly did when the Blue Jays quickly pounced on him when the Pittsburgh Pirates put him on waivers prior to the September postseason cut-off deadline. In doing so, the 30-year-old veteran will now have the opportunity to complete some unfinished business as the Blue Jays are currently in the heat of a playoff race.

Returning Blue Jays player ready to do anything to help the team win

Knowing his role this time around as the 27th or 28th man on the Jays roster, Kiner-Falefa was overly thankful of the organization in believing in him and vows that he is ready to do anything to help the team win, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.

“Once I found out it was the Blue Jays (who claimed him), I was so happy … I’m very thankful and I’ll do everything I can to give them a good return. There’s a sense of loyalty and I’m willing to do whatever they need me to do … I’ll be the best 10th man (in the lineup) I can be. I take pride in that,” said Kiner-Falefa.

If he can be close to what he did in his previous stint with Toronto, Jays fans will be laughing all the way to the bank. After all, Kiner-Falefa posted some of his best numbers of his MLB career when he compiled an impressive .292 average, .758 OPS, with 32 runs scored, eight doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 33 RBIs in 83 games as their utilityman in 2024. At the same time, he saw reps across the infield at second base, third base and shortstop, along with the outfield and even pitching while flashing his Gold Glove-level defense.

Kiner-Falefa knows he likely won’t be getting as much playing time this time around, since the Jays already have their everyday lineup pretty much set. But he will definitely be ready whenever he gets the call, whether it be a pinch running assignment, a defensive replacement, or a fill-in for a regular on their day off.

So far, Kiner-Falefa has gotten into one game with Toronto (going into Saturday's games) and has scored two runs despite going hitless, showing that he can make things happen no matter what the circumstances. Plus, having a player where Jays’ manager John Schneider can plug into anywhere in the lineup, that flexibility could come in handy down the stretch in key matchups game in and game out.

As a result, the Jays truly welcome Kiner-Falefa back and sincerely hope that his contributions can help take the team farther this season than his last one.