Isiah Kiner-Falefa has only just zipped up a Red Sox jersey, but he’s already found a way to turn up the heat in the AL East. Days after signing a one-year, $6 million deal with Boston, the veteran infielder made waves during his introductory press conference in Fort Myers-not with bold predictions or flashy promises, but with a candid story that’s sure to stick on clubhouse bulletin boards in the Bronx.
According to Kiner-Falefa, the Toronto Blue Jays were quietly rooting for the Yankees to beat the Red Sox in the 2025 AL Wild Card round. Why?
Because they thought New York would be an easier opponent. That’s not exactly the kind of thing Yankees fans-or players-want to hear from a guy who was in their dugout not long ago.
Kiner-Falefa didn’t mince words. Toronto, he said, saw Boston’s pitching staff as the bigger threat.
He even singled out Garrett Crochet, calling him a “buzzsaw”-a pretty telling compliment for a guy who’s now his teammate. That kind of honesty is rare in introductory pressers, where players usually stick to the script about fresh starts and team chemistry.
But IKF went off-script, and in doing so, added a little extra spice to an already fiery division.
He also took a moment to address one of the defining plays of his 2025 postseason-his baserunning decision in Game 7 of the World Series. Kiner-Falefa admitted that his short lead off third base was by design, following team protocol under coach Carlos Febles.
Still, with the benefit of hindsight, he acknowledged he would’ve liked to take a few more steps. It’s the kind of self-awareness you expect from a seasoned vet-owning the moment, but also learning from it.
Now, IKF turns the page and joins a Red Sox team that’s clearly in go-mode. Boston’s been aggressive this offseason, retooling the roster with key additions like Sonny Gray, Ranger Suárez, and Willson Contreras.
Kiner-Falefa fits right into that plan-not as a headliner, but as a crucial piece of depth. At 30, he’s expected to serve as a super-utility option, capable of playing second, short, and third.
That kind of versatility gives the Red Sox options, especially if they want to ease the load on Trevor Story or rotate infielders throughout the long grind of the season.
Last year, Kiner-Falefa split time between Pittsburgh and Toronto, appearing in 138 games and hitting .262 with a pair of homers, 40 RBIs, and a .631 OPS. The numbers won’t jump off the page, but his value lies in his steadiness and adaptability-traits that can quietly shape a winning roster over 162 games.
His deal includes $500,000 in performance bonuses, and if he plays the way Boston hopes, he’ll earn every bit of it. But even before taking the field, Kiner-Falefa has already made an impact-by stoking rivalries, owning past mistakes, and stepping into a new chapter with confidence. The Red Sox-Yankees rivalry didn’t need any more fuel, but IKF just tossed a fresh log on the fire.