Blue Jays Sign Ex-Yankee

He wore out his welcome in the Bronx after two seasons, but he'll be staying in the American League East, as the Toronto Blue Jays have decided to sign free agent infielder/outfielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa is headed to the Toronto Blue Jays pic.twitter.com/uNLHoUU8em
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) December 27, 2023

It's a two-year, $15 million contract, pending physical, and includes $1 million in incentives.

It's a bit of an odd signing for Toronto, as IKF seems to be a replication of sorts.

One of the #BlueJays' strengths entering this offseason was versatile, controllable depth.

MLB: Schneider, Biggio, Espinal, Clement
Prospects: Martinez, Barger, Jimenez, Lopez, Palmegiani

Spending to add to that group is not what I expected from a fit or efficiency standpoint.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) December 27, 2023

As noted by Blue Jays beat writer Keegan Matheson, the Jays already have plenty of versatile depth infielders like Davis Schneider, Cavan Biggio, Santiago Espinal and even Ernie Clement, with several prospects of the same ilk waiting in the wings.

The Jays also re-signed Kevin Kiermaier on Tuesday to return as their center fielder, and it's possible that Kiner-Falefa could possibly serve as a backup in the outfield. He played 78 games there last season for the Yankees—the first time in his career he played in the OF. He's also spent plenty of time at 3B and SS.

Blue Jay fans can only hope that this isn't the team's full-time answer for third base this season. Although he does have a Gold Glove at third from the shortened 2020 season with Texas, Kiner-Falefa has never had anything even close to an average season at the plate, with a career OPS+ of 81 (about 20% worse than the average hitter), and last year batted just .242 with a .646 OPS and an OPS+ of 78.

Somewhere (everywhere) Yankees fans are having a good laugh.

Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports