Isiah Kiner-Falefa was traded from Toronto to Pittsburgh at the 2024 deadline for middle infield prospect Charles McAdoo. The Pirates failed to find a trade partner and later placed Kiner-Falefa on waivers, where Toronto reclaimed him on August 31, 2025. Pittsburgh’s move appears driven by a desire to avoid a roughly $250,000 bonus tied to 81 additional plate appearances. Toronto now holds both the veteran utilityman and the prospect. Kiner-Falefa’s defensive versatility creates roster flexibility amid recent Blue Jays injuries, while the Pirates’ roster and decision-making drew criticism as short-sighted and cost-driven.
Just over a year later, the Pirates have completely flopped on this deal as not only did they fail to find a trade partner for IKF at this years deadline, they placed Kiner-Falefa on waivers and he was claimed by Toronto on Sunday afternoon according to multiple reports. The Toronto Blue Jays claimed utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates, sources tell ESPN. Kiner-Falefa spent 2024 with the Blue Jays before being traded to the Pirates on July 30.- Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 31, 2025
The Blue Jays now have both the player they traded and the prospect in their system as the Pirates continue to be a laughing stock franchise as this was clearly a cost cutting move to save a measly $250,000. There was a clause in Kiner-Falefa's contract that would have paid him that money as bonus had he reached another 81 plate appearances.
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