Yankees agree to one-year deal with SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa

The New York Yankees announced Friday that they have agreed to a one-year deal with shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa. The deal is worth $6 million, according to multiple reports The agreement means the two sides will avoid arbitration. Kiner-Falefa batted .261 with four homers and 48 RBIs in 142 games last season in his first year with the Yankees. The 27-year-old lost his starting shortstop job for a time due to defensive issues. He committed 15 errors a year following his career-worst 19 errors for the Texas Rangers in 2021. Kiner-Falefa spent four seasons with the Texas and won a Gold Glove in 2020. The Rangers traded him to the Minnesota Twins in March. One day later, Minnesota sent Kiner-Falefa to the Yankees as part of the deal in which New York acquired Josh Donaldson. Kiner-Falefa has a .264 career average with 20 homers and 166 RBIs in 534 career games with the Rangers (2018-21) and Yankees. Also, New York claimed right-hander Junior Fernandez off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 25-year-old had a 2.41 ERA in 16 relief appearances in 2022 while splitting time between the St. Louis Cardinals and Pirates. --Field Level Media