Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s Role With Red Sox Revealed After Caleb Durbin Trade

The Boston Red Sox have made two intriguing moves to their infield.

Boston signed veteran infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a one-year, $6 million deal to add some more depth to the roster. Yet, on Monday, the Red Sox acquired third baseman Caleb Durbin to bolster their roster further.

Given that Kiner-Falefa has experience at third base, his role with the team is a bit uncertain. Yet, Red Sox insider Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic believes Boston views him primarily as Trevor Story’s backup, and someone who can also play at second and third base.

“The Red Sox also agreed last week to a one-year deal with infielder Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, who doesn’t offer much on offense but is a strong defender at shortstop, second, and third,” McCaffrey wrote in an article published on Tuesday.

“While the Red Sox have not yet defined his role, he will play a key role as Story’s primary backup. Story played 155 games last season and started to wear down at the end of the year, his first full season since 2021.”

Boston also claimed infielder Tsung-Che Cheng off waivers and signed Gold Glove Award winner Brendan Rodgers to a minor-league deal to add even more infield depth.

Yet, Kiner-Falefa is expected to be a versatile infielder for Alex Cora and the Red Sox in 2026.

Kiner-Falefa spent last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays. He hit .262 with two home runs and 40 RBIs.

Boston will open its 2026 MLB season on March 26 against the Cincinnati Reds at 4:10 p.m. ET.