Isiah Kiner-Falefa is positioned as a key player for the Pirates, with Valdéz competing for a roster spot to back him up at shortstop. Kiner-Falefa's performance will be crucial as the team looks to solidify its infield depth.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa started strong with the Blue Jays, posting impressive offensive numbers before being traded to the Pirates. However, his performance declined significantly in Pittsburgh, where he hit just .240 with one home run and ten RBIs in 50 games. Despite being projected as the starting shortstop, his lack of production raises concerns about his value to the team, especially given the Pirates' budget constraints. While his versatility is an asset, the team may consider moving on from him if they deem his salary too high for his contributions.

Kiner-Falefa was part of last year's free-agent signings for the Blue Jays, alongside players like Kevin Kiermaier and Justin Turner. His addition reflects the team's struggle to attract top talent amid a declining reputation and performance issues, raising questions about their ability to secure impactful free agents moving forward.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa is out of the lineup for the final game of the season against the Yankees, just four plate appearances away from earning a $250,000 bonus. He began the season with the Blue Jays, where he performed well, but struggled after being traded to the Pirates, batting only .240 with one home run and 10 RBIs in 215 plate appearances. Despite being close to a bonus, Kiner-Falefa chose to step aside for a younger player, raising questions about the optics of the situation and the Pirates' decision to potentially save money at the expense of a player's hard-earned incentive.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa contributed two hits for the Pirates, including a clean single in the fourth and an infield hit in the eighth. His performance added to the team's offensive efforts in the closely contested game against the Brewers.