MLB Rumors: Mets are stubborn, Yankees buzz, Braves make a move

MLB Rumors: When will the Yankees trade IKF?

The New York Yankees have plenty of middle infield depth. With that, it feels like only a matter of time before they trade Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who has received some playing time with the Yanks this season.

Kiner-Falefa was acquired last offseason as a bridge to Anthony Volpe, and he’s been serviceable in that role. However, now that Volpe is in the majors, IKF is a tradable asset, and plenty of teams have a hole at shortstop.

Look no further than the Pittsburgh Pirates, who just lost Oneil Cruz for several months. In the meantime, the Bucs don’t have the kind of roster depth to replace Cruz on the fly. They do, however, have an intriguing farm system which could net the Yankees an under-the-radar prospect.

Nonetheless, IKF has been connected to Pittsburgh for a few months now. Rum Bunter suggested he was a trade target to avoid back in spring training:

"“There’s not much difference between Kiner-Falefa, Kevin Newman (whom the Pirates traded this past off-season), and Tucupita Marcano. They all fit the low-power, okay batting average/OBP utility role. However, Marcano is at least a decent utility man who can play wherever the Pirates need him to. Sure, the Yankees have experimented with IKF in the outfield, but Marcano is already acquainted with moving between the infield and the outfield.”"

Marcano remains an option for the Pirates moving forward. If they’re comfortable with him, the Yankees may have to look elsewhere for an IKF suitor.