SF Giants reportedly still interested in versatile Pittsburgh Pirates infielder

The 2025 MLB trade deadline is right around the corner. The SF Giants have several needs, and remain interested in versatile Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, per Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

SF Giants reportedly still interested in versatile Pittsburgh Pirates infielder

This is not the first time the Giants have been connected to Kiner-Falefa. On paper, there could be a need at second base. Tyler Fitzgerald began the season as the everyday second baseman, but he struggled to a .620 OPS with three home runs and 13 RBI in 198 plate appearances before being optioned back to Triple-A.

Since then, Casey Schmitt has taken over at second base. He went on a tear once Matt Chapman went down with an injury in June. However, Schmitt landed on the injured list at the end of June after taking a pitch off his left hand.

The injury was not considered serious, and he was able to return once he was eligible. Overall, he is hitting .246/.327/.396 (108 wRC+) with five home runs, 17 RBI, and 15 runs in 151 plate appearances. However, he has struggled to a .509 OPS in 39 plate appearances since returning from the injured list.

Schmitt has flashed decent power in sporadic playing time with the Giants this season. He has consistently made hard contact and has the type of swing to allow that power to play. The right-handed bat has also made some nice strides in terms of plate discipline.

It would be disappointing to see the Giants move off of Schmitt so quickly at second base. That said, Isiah Kiner-Falefa would likely slot in as a utility player. He has recorded a .656 OPS with one home run and 24 RBI in 315 plate appearances with the Pirates this season.

While the eight-year veteran offers almost no power, he does have excellent contact skills, with a 16.2 percent strikeout rate and a 95.0 percent in-zone contact rate. This feels like a skill that the current front office covets.

Kiner-Falefa has appeared primarily at shortstop this season, but he has experience all around the diamond. He is in the final year of a two-year, $15 million deal. While the veteran infielder would not necesarily represent an improvement to the everyday lineup, he would provide a boost to the bench at a relatively low cost.