KINER-FALEFA TO THE PIRATES
The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa and cash from the Toronto Blue Jays for infielder Charles McAdoo.
What does it give the Pittsburgh Pirates
Kiner-Falefa is the kind of player that any good team wants, and this year the Pirates are better than the Blue Jays. Pittsburgh will have to wait for Kiner-Falefa to get healthy, but once he does he can play multiple positions. He could play second or third, fill in at shortstop or even play some outfield. He has hit well this year (.292, 7 HR, 33 RBI) and adds a piece for a young Pirates team making a push.
What does it give the Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays signed Kiner-Falefa this past off-season with hopes of being competitive. While he lived up to his end of the bargain before injury, the Blue Jays certainly did not. So, they shipped him off to Pittsburgh. McAdoo has hit .315 with 14 home runs and 63 RBI playing at both the high Single-A and Double-A levels this season. His bat seems to have some potential, so he could be a good pickup.
Fantasy impact
If Kiner-Falefa can stay hot with the bat, like he was before his injury, he may be worth streaming. There is a hole at second base with Nick Gonzales' injury, so Kiner-Falefa could see plenty of playing time. McAdoo's bat seems promising. His day may yet come in fantasy baseball but that day is a few years down the road.
