Yankees linked to surprising ex-player as trade deadline chatter grows
Yankees linked to surprising ex-player as trade deadline chatter grows originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
As the trade market heats up, one name familiar with the New York Yankees is making the rounds: Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Advertisement
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Pirates are likely to deal the former Yankees utilityman before the deadline. And given how much the Yankees valued his versatility during his two seasons in the Bronx, a reunion can't be ruled out, especially with the infield still unsettled.
With questions surrounding DJ LeMahieu's bat, Oswald Peraza's ceiling, and Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s fit at third, IKF could again represent exactly what the Yankees need: someone who can handle multiple positions and not crater the bottom third of the order.
Pittsburgh Pirates second base Isiah Kiner-Falefa participates in spring training workouts at Pirate City.Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
This time around, it wouldn't be about making IKF a starter. It would be about raising the floor. And frankly, that might be necessary in a year when depth is being tested nightly.
Advertisement
Kiner-Falefa entered Thursday slashing .244/.304/.371 for the Pirates with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 64 games. He's played second, short, third, and even outfield. While not flashy, he's reliable, and he knows what it means to handle the pressure of New York.
Heyman also noted the Pirates could be one of the more active sellers at the deadline. They aren't moving ace Paul Skenes, but Andrew Heaney is likely to be dealt. And depending on how far they're willing to go, names like Mitch Keller and Ke'Bryan Hayes could enter the conversation.
For the Yankees, they all are interesting, but a low-cost, familiar fit like Kiner-Falefa might make the most sense.
And this time, expectations would be more aligned with reality.
Advertisement
Related: Clint Frazier's Favorite Clubhouse Wasn't in the Bronx
Related: Max Fried Reveals Which Yankees Star Made Him Nervous
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Report: Shedeur Sanders Pulled Over By Police Tuesday Morning
Report: Shedeur Sanders Pulled Over By Police Tuesday Morning originally appeared on The Spun. Shedeur Sanders, the Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback, was reportedly pulled over by police on Tuesday morning. Advertisement Sanders, who was taken in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, was reportedly pulled over for allegedly driving faster than 100 MPH. The former Colorado Buffaloes and Jackson State quarterback was pulled over shortly after midnight on Tuesday morning. He was allegedly driving 101 MPH, more than 40 MPH faster than the speed limit. The rookie quarterback was reportedly stopped on 71 North around 12:24 a.m. on June 17, according to FOX 8 in Cleveland. He was issued a citation and he can fight the ticket in court. Shedeur Sanders was speeding, according to According to FOX 8 in Ohio, speeding has become a major issue in the state. More than 3,000 people were pulled over for driving faster than 100 MPH last year. More than 83,000 people were pulled over for driving 20 MPH faster than the speed limit. Advertisement The Ohio Traffic Safety Office sent a clear warning: 'There is no excuse for extreme speeds.' The Cleveland Browns have yet to comment on Sanders getting pulled over. The son of NFL legend Deion Sanders has made it clear that he wants to put his head down and get to work. Shedeur Sanders has been praised by teammates for staying after practice to get extra work in. ESPN NFL insider Peter Schrager recently praised Sanders based on what he had heard from those inside of the Cleveland Browns facility. "I've heard he was outstanding in the building," Schrager said about Sanders in a Tuesday appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. Advertisement Getting pulled over by the police for driving 100 MPH doesn't negate any of that, but it's not a good thing, either. NFL teams don't want to have to deal with off-the-field issues, especially with players that are borderline in terms of making the roster. It'll be interesting to see if this impacts Sanders' chances of making the browns. Report: Shedeur Sanders Pulled Over By Police Tuesday Morning first appeared on The Spun on Jun 18, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Browns Make Decision On Shedeur Sanders After Two Speeding Incidents
Browns Make Decision On Shedeur Sanders After Two Speeding Incidents originally appeared on The Spun. Colin Cowherd says he's "done" with Shedeur Sanders following the rookie quarterback's two speeding incidents in Ohio this month. But are the Cleveland Browns? Advertisement The Fox Sports 1 host said on his Thursday, June 19 show that he is officially done with the 23-year-old rookie quarterback. "Shedeur Sanders got caught speeding over 100 MPH. Don't minimize it, don't pander. This is not good for a quarterback," he said on his "The Herd" show on Thursday afternoon, June 19. "I do not cling to opinions. New information, new opinion. I don't think about him the same. When you fall to (pick) 144 in the draft, and then you try to match that number behind the wheel of a car, I don't think the same. "You ignored signs about Manziel and Baker. And, apparently, based on the traffic violation, Shedeur was avoiding some signs, too - that say stop. I'm not sure he's mature enough. Now I'm going to have to like Kenny Pickett." Advertisement But while Cowherd has said he's done with Sanders, are the Cleveland Browns done, too? May 10, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) talks to the media during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Blaze-Imagn Images. The Browns are standing by Sanders - for now. A spokesman for the Cleveland Browns told that Sanders is handling his speeding tickets, while remaining a member of the franchise. "He is taking care of the tickets," team spokesman Peter John-Baptiste told the media outlet. Sanders, who slipped into the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft - he was the second quarterback taken by the Browns, who selected Dillon Gabriel out of Oregon - is still facing an uphill battle to make the roster. The Browns have Gabriel, Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett also at the quarterback position. Flacco and Pickett feel like locks to make the Week 1 roster. So, it could be Gabriel and Sanders fighting it out for the QB3 spot. Advertisement Cleveland could decide to keep four quarterbacks, which is apparently a possibility, according to team insider Mary Kay Cabot, but that would be a rarity for an NFL team. 'Thanks in part to low base salaries and cap numbers for all of them, they can afford to keep all four from a financial standpoint, and it also makes sense from a roster building standpoint,' Cabot wrote. Sanders has work to do off the field, though. He must pay a $250 fine for the fourth-degree misdemeanor or fight the ticket in Strongsville Mayor's Court on July 3, following his latest speeding incident. The Browns are coming off a highly disappointing 3-14 season in 2024. Browns Make Decision On Shedeur Sanders After Two Speeding Incidents first appeared on The Spun on Jun 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Associated Press
23 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Jamal Musiala injured again for Bayern Munich at Club World Cup
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Star German midfielder Jamal Musiala went off injured only 25 minutes after entering Friday night's Club World Cup match for Bayern Munich and was substituted by national team veteran Thomas Müller in the 82nd minute. Musiala came on in the 57th minute against Boca Juniors. The nature of his injury wasn't immediately known. The 22 year-old had been recovering from a torn hamstring during the Bundesliga season. Musiala had not played since April and returned to Bayern training on May 7. Bayern and German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann decided not to name him to the squad during the UEFA Nations League semifinals in late May. ___ AP soccer:
