Pirates Transactions
BREAKING: Another Pirates Trade; Isiah Kiner-Falefa For Rising Prospect
It’s turned out to be a busy trade deadline for Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington.
After acquiring left-handed pitcher Josh Walker from the New York Mets and outfielder Bryan De La Cruz from the Miami Marlins, the Pirates have announced yet another trade just before Tuesday’s deadline.
The Pirates acquired infielder/outfielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa and cash considerations from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for infield/outfield prospect Charles McAdoo, and yes, Kiner-Falefa is related to all-time Pirates’ great Ralph Kiner.
Kiner-Falefa is currently on the 10-day injured list with a left knee sprain but is on a rehab assignment and expected back in relatively short order.
Prior to getting injured, the 29-year-old was in the midst of his best season at the plate in his career. In 82 games in his first season with Toronto, Kiner-Falefa hit .292 with a .758 OPS (116 wRC+). He recorded eight doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 33 RBIs. His next home run will tie his career-high.
Kiner-Falefa played the first four seasons of his career with the Texas Rangers after debuting in 2018 and spent the 2022-23 seasons with the New York Yankees.
Defensively, he’s played every position other than first base, including both pitcher and catcher. The majority of his career has come on the left side of the infield but given the injury to Nick Gonzales, Kiner-Falefa could see more time at second base and in the outfield.
Kiner-Falefa signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Blue Jays in the offseason and he will be under contract in 2025 for $7.5 million.
McAdoo emerged as one of the organization’s top hitting prospects this season after he was selected in the 13th round of the 2023 draft. In 87 games between High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona, the 22-year-old combined to slash .315/.394/.538 with 21 doubles, 14 homers, 63 RBIs and 17 steals.
In their most recent update, Baseball America had McAdoo listed as the Pirates’ No. 12 prospect.