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Dodgers Trade Idea Lands Former Yankees Veteran Dud

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated May 20, 2025 3:00 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in first place in the National League West, a promising sign for the team after the injuries they’ve dealt with.

However, after being swept by their cross-town rival, the Los Angeles Angels, the Dodgers hope to turn things around over the next few weeks. It won't be much easier, as they have a series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Mets, Cleveland Guardians, New York Yankees, and the Mets again over the next month.

Still, Los Angeles is good enough to compete with anybody.

Despite being in first place, and the Dodgers looking good on paper, they'll likely make a trade at the deadline.

Jason Fray of Dodgers Nation pitched the idea of them trading for Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who used to play for the New York Yankees and is currently with the brutal Pittsburgh Pirates.

“Kiner-Falefa would be an example of the Dodgers working on the fringes. Having said that, he does fit the archetype in what Friedman looks for in a player.

“For one, Kiner-Falefa has immense positional versatility — seemingly a prerequisite for any L.A. position player. He’s currently the Pirates’ starting shortstop, though the 2020 Gold Glove winner can also play third base, second base, and the outfield. Traditionally, Kiner-Falefa is also a guy who rarely strikes out,” he wrote.

The Pirates are expected to be sellers at the deadline, and Kiner-Falefa could make sense. He’s had parts throughout his career where he looks to be a decent big league player, especially on the defensive side of the baseball.

He's never going to impress much with his offensive production, but if he can give the Dodgers a 90-plus OPS+, there could be value in trading for him on the margins.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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