Red Sox, Isiah Kiner-Falefa Reportedly Agree to Contract in MLB Free Agency, Updated Lineup

The Boston Red Sox reportedly have added some depth to their infield.

Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, the team signed free agent infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a one-year deal. Kiner-Falefa's contract is worth $6 million, per MassLive's Chris Cotillo.

Here's a look at what Boston's lineup could look like for the 2026 campaign.

2026 Boston Red Sox Lineup

LF Roman Anthony
SS Trevor Story
DH Jarren Duran
1B Willson Contreras
RF Wilyer Abreu
C Carlos Narváez
3B Marcelo Mayer
2B Romy González
CF Ceddanne Rafaela

Kiner-Falefa, a fourth-round draft pick in 2013, spent the first half of the 2025 campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates before closing things out with the Toronto Blue Jays as they made a run to the World Series.

In 138 games, he had two home runs, 40 RBI and a .262 batting average.

Kiner-Falefa had previous stops with the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees, along with a first stint in Toronto in 2024. He was a Gold Glove winner with the Rangers in 2020.

How Kiner-Falefa will fit into the Red Sox's Opening Day lineup is the question after the trade. Third base will likely be filled by Marcelo Mayer after Boston failed to re-sign star Alex Bregman and Willson Contreras will occupy first base.

Trevor Story has ownership of shortstop after collecting 25 homers and 96 RBI in 2025, so that leaves second base as Kiner-Falefa's best chance of earning a regular spot in the rotation.

He'll compete with Romy González, who had nine home runs, 53 RBI and a .305 average, for the second base spot. There's a chance Boston could turn to Ceddanne Rafaela at second, but the Red Sox appear keen on using him in the outfield this year.

The most likely outcome for Kiner-Falefa will be a spot on the bench behind González, but he'll almost certainly see the field plenty this year.