Toronto Blue Jays Bolster Depth With Familiar Face Ahead of 2025 Postseason

The Toronto Blue Jays are bringing back a familiar face to the team as they have officially claimed infielder Isiah-Kiner Falefa off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Teams have until Aug. 31 to have players in their organization to be eligible for the postseason and now Kiner-Falefa can be part of the Blue Jays for September and the playoffs. He is an unrestricted free agent following the season and is making his return to Toronto after spending 83 games with the Blue Jays last season before being dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Kiner-Falefa is a below-average offensive player with a 77 OPS+ with a .264/.300/.332 slash line while adding a home run, 35 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases on 16 attempts with the Pirates this year. However, he is a plus defender who has played both shortstop and third base this year as well. This gives Toronto another veteran on the roster heading into the playoffs with experience playing in big games as well as a late-inning defender off the bench if they utilize him that way.

It is unclear if he will be primarily playing at shortstop or third base or what the corresponding roster move will be to get him on the 26-man roster. With Sept. 1 allowing teams to expand their rosters from 26 to 28, there is a chance no one is sent down as a result of this move. It will be interesting to see how Isiah Kiner-Falefa does back in Toronto in the midst of a playoff push.