Growing instability could lead to Yankees reuniting with versatile infielder

Conor Liguori

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Growing instability could lead to Yankees reuniting with versatile infielder image

If the 2026 Major League Baseball season started today, the New York Yankees would likely have Ryan McMahon and Jose Caballero as their starters on the left side of the infield. 

Both players were midseason acquisitions who may not have a full-time gig on a dozen other teams, but the Yankees lack infield depth.

Shortstop Anthony Volpe will start the season on the IL after undergoing surgery to repair a partially torn labrum, and Oswaldo Cabrera should be ready for spring training after fracturing his ankle in May. 

They could still use one more player to help patch things up on the dirt, and Sports Illustrated's Jack Markowski thinks the Yankees should reunite with utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa. 

"Kiner-Falefa wasn't exactly a fan favorite during his two years in New York, but he's undoubtedly a useful player who would raise the Yankees' floor next year and provide a spark off the bench," Markowski wrote. 

Kiner-Falefa's offensive abilities are limited 

Kiner-Falefa is a former Gold Glove third baseman who brings little power to the plate. He hit a career high of eight home runs in 2024, split between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays. 

"Kiner-Falefa isn't going to provide much of anything offensively, which the Yankees are well-aware of, but he remains an above-average defender at third base and shortstop with DRS totals of 3 and 1, respectively, during the 2025 season," Markowski added. 

His lack of power shouldn't be an issue for the Yankees, who had seven players hit 20 or more homers last year. Manager Aaron Boone can pencil Kiner-Falefa in at the bottom of the lineup on days his team faces left-handed pitchers, giving McMahon a break because of his poor.534 OPS against lefties in 2025. 

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Staff Writer