Five teams that could target free agent infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa in 2026

With full squad workouts set to start in just two weeks, Isiah Kiner-Falefa stands as one of the final notable options remaining on the shortstop market.

While his bat has never been his calling card, his defensive versatility has allowed him to carve out a valuable role across eight major league seasons.

Kiner-Falefa owns a career slash line of .262/.311/.349, modest offensive production that has been offset by steady glove work and positional flexibility.

However, he’s coming off a down 2025 campaign split between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays, where he posted a .262/.297/.334 line (75 wRC+) and saw his defensive metrics slip to slightly below average.

As spring training nears, interest should begin to pick up from contenders seeking depth and defensive reliability, as well as from smaller-market clubs looking to stabilize their infield.

Which teams make the most sense for the former Gold Glove winner?

Boston Red Sox: A potential move to Boston would likely frustrate parts of the Red Sox fanbase, as Kiner-Falefa would represent a clear step down in offensive production compared to Alex Bregman.

That said, Boston has hinted at prioritizing defense over offense when finalizing its infield configuration.

Kiner-Falefa could fit into a cost-conscious platoon approach, rotating alongside Marcelo Mayer, David Hamilton, and Romy González, while providing depth behind Trevor Story and Willson Contreras.

If the Red Sox miss out on a higher-end upgrade, he could emerge as a pragmatic fallback option.

Atlanta Braves:The Braves’ infield has struggled to stay healthy in recent seasons, making Kiner-Falefa an appealing insurance policy.

With Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, and Ha-Seong Kim all carrying notable injury histories, his presence would add stability and flexibility without disrupting the everyday lineup.

Sacramento Athletics: For the Athletics, Kiner-Falefa could function as a veteran stabilizer alongside Jeff McNeil and Jacob Wilson, while also serving as a flexible utility piece.

His willingness to move around the diamond would allow the club to remain patient with younger options such as Max Muncy, Max Schuemann, and Darell Hernaiz should one of them force their way into a larger role.

Los Angeles Angels: The Angels currently project Yoán Moncada, Vaughn Grissom, and Oswald Peraza as infield regulars.

Kiner-Falefa would provide a higher floor than any of those options, particularly from a defensive standpoint.

However, if Anaheim is serious about pushing Mike Trout back into October baseball, the club may prioritize upside over stability when addressing its remaining roster needs.

Washington Nationals: Washington could view Kiner-Falefa as a useful veteran addition, particularly as a mentor and defensive upgrade.

That said, the Nationals may be hesitant to limit opportunities for their young core unless a trade involving CJ Abrams opens additional infield playing time.

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