SF Giants, Yankees reportedly eyeing versatile Pirates infielder

Second base could be a need for the SF Giants at the trade deadline. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Giants are among the teams eyeing versatile Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

SF Giants, Yankees reportedly eyeing versatile Pirates infielder

Nightengale adds that the New York Yankees are also in the mix. At 31-48, the Pirates look like likely sellers at the trade deadline, barring a drastic turnaround. They do not have many assets to sell off, but Kiner-Falefa along with Andrew Heaney are expected to have some level of interest on the trade market.

Heaney signed a one-year, $5.25 million deal this winter. He has posted a 3.94 ERA in 15 starts for the Pirates. On the other hand, Kiner-Falefa is in the second year of a two-year, $15 million deal that he originally signed with the Toronto Blue Jays.

On the year, he is slashing .275/.319/.342 (84 wRC+) with one home run, nine RBI, and 17 runs in 241 plate appearances. This includes a 4.6 percent walk rate, 15.4 percent strikeout rate, and .068 ISO.

There is very little power upside in Kiner-Falefa's bat, but he does make a lot of contact. That could have modest value to a Giants lineup that has the 12th-highest strikeout rate at 22.5 percent.

In the field, the eight-year veteran has appeared exclusively at shortstop this season, but he does have experience all around the field, including some catching duties earlier in his career. He has registered -4 Outs Above Average (OAA) and -3 Fielding Run Value (FRV) at shortstop, suggesting that a move to second base is likely in the cards.

The Giants could use some help at that position, but they may already have a solution in Casey Schmitt. The young infielder has been on a tear at the plate since taking over at third base while Matt Chapman is on the injured list.

Schmitt has posted a 1.210 OPS with four home runs and 12 RBI in 46 plate appearances since assuming an everyday role. Of course, when Chapman returns, there will be no clear path to playing time at third base. Second base is a different story, and it looks like he will slide over to the position now that Tyler Fitzgerald has been optioned. Kiner-Falefa might be a nice bench bat for the club, but he has a low ceiling as an everyday player.