FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Just moments after his one-year, $6 million contract to play for the Red Sox became official on Tuesday, Isiah Kiner-Falefa made his feelings known about a role that is unglamorous to many, but right up his alley.
Super-utility guy?
That’s exactly what Kiner-Falefa wants to do while he tries to help the Red Sox make a deep postseason run while at the same time erasing his own sting of being on the losing side with Toronto in an epic Game 7 of last year’s World Series against the Dodgers.
“Bouncing all over the place, doing whatever the team needs, even if it's coming off the bench, filling in on defense late in games or any opportunity,” said Kiner-Falefa. “Even if I could play the outfield or put the catcher's gear on, I think, the versatility is just going to allow the team and [manager Alex Cora] to maneuver guys and do things that are best for the team. So I'm excited to show off the versatility.
“But I also think it's my best role. I played every day at certain spots. But I'm really excited to do what I'm best at, instead of kind of filling in [at a set position] for other organizations. So, I'm excited for the opportunity to be a true utility player.”
In a game where most players prefer a defined role, Kiner-Falefa says to bring on the chaos when it comes to where he plays on defense.
Kiner-Falefa will be Trevor Story’s lead backup at shortstop. He’ll also rotate into the equation at second and third base, positions where newcomer Caleb Durbin and Marcelo Mayer will likely be the primary options.
“Not many people can do it,” said Kiner-Falefa. “You see Kiké Hernández, Chris Taylor, Brock Holt, these guys who've had so much success and they're valuable, valuable players. So having that opportunity to really dive into that, instead of just playing one position and being a mid position player … I get to focus on being one of the top utility players in the league. And that's my goal.”
With Kiner-Falefa in his dugout, Cora will often feel like he’s not far from making a substitution. Of course, the 30-year-old will also start his fair share of games.
“It's important. He's a good player. He's a good defender,” said Cora. “We do believe offensively, there's more. He feels the same way. That's what we got from the meeting we had with him right before he signed. But having a guy who’s been there, done that, living the ups and downs of the season, shoot, man, they were two inches away from winning the World Series, right?”
You don’t need to remind Kiner-Falefa of those inches.
With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth in a tie game, Kiner-Falefa sprinted home on Daulton Varsho’s grounder to second baseman Miguel Rojas. His thought was to break up the double play and get the red-hot Ernie Clement to the plate with a chance to win the World Series.
But when Rojas stumbled, and his momentum carried him back a bit, Kiner-Falefa nearly ended the World Series right there. However, the throw just got him on the 4-2 fielder’s choice.
The Dodgers won the game in 11 innings.
Kiner-Falefa is aware of some of the second-guessing on social media that took place regarding the size of his lead off of third. In some ways, talking about the play more than three months later felt somewhat therapeutic because he didn’t get the chance after Game 7.
“It’s an organizational policy,” said Kiner-Falefa. “My biggest regret was there were no cameras in my face after the game. That was the toughest thing for me. If it was going to be such a big deal it would have been nice to have the camera in my face and have a chance to speak. But it blew up without me getting a proper interview, so I thought that was unfair.”
What Kiner-Falefa can’t wait for is a chance at redemption. And he’ll gladly move all over the field to help his new team reach the promised land.