The Boston Red Sox have been vocal this offseason, taking playful jabs at their storied rivals, the New York Yankees. Even players with past ties to the Yankees, like Sonny Gray, have joined in. Gray, reflecting on his challenging 2018 stint in New York, expressed relief at moving on, stating he never really wanted to play in the Bronx.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, another new face in Boston, added his voice to the mix. He remarked that his former team, the Toronto Blue Jays, celebrated the Yankees' victory over the Red Sox in the 2025 Wild Card.
Why? They viewed New York as a more manageable opponent.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone, speaking at spring training on February 11, responded with a touch of humor. "I guess he was right," Boone quipped, showing he wasn’t too rattled by Kiner-Falefa's comments. His lighthearted reaction, complete with a chuckle, resonated with Red Sox fans.
Boone's response came after the Yankees managed to reverse-sweep the Red Sox, aided by Garrett Crochet's standout performance in the opening game. Despite Kiner-Falefa’s playful dig, the Yankees didn't need much defending.
Toronto, with the best record in the American League last season, was a formidable force. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. found his stride in the postseason, and even with Boston's injury woes, the Blue Jays powered through to a thrilling seven-game World Series against the reigning champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Kiner-Falefa’s time in New York was marked by his defensive-first approach, not always a hit in the Bronx. His 2022 season as the Yankees' shortstop saw defensive struggles, but he found a better fit in a utility role by 2023. Still, his light-hearted jab at the Yankees showed he wasn’t shy about poking fun at his former team.
As the new season looms, the Red Sox and Blue Jays are poised for playoff contention, with the Yankees ever-present in the mix. The AL East promises to be fiercely competitive, with these three teams likely battling for supremacy. The Red Sox, having bolstered their rotation, might just live up to the formidable playoff threat Kiner-Falefa hinted at.