Isiah Kiner-Falefa once again in the crosshairs as New York Yankees fans continue to bicker with regular season fast-approaching

Despite being one of the best teams around last season, the New York Yankees are facing battles for some key positions. As a result, it is causing fans to take sides early.

Frustrations are already mounting in the organization after two of their five starters are slated to start the season on the IL. Carlos Rodon and Frankie Montas are both new additions that will be sitting in the press box at the start of the season. This has caused fans to take aim at GM Brian Cashman.

Positionally, the middle infield currently has more contenders than it can accommodate. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who played 138 games as a shortstop last year, is facing a challenge at the position from young Venezuelan Oswald Peraza. Peraza, 24, hit .306 in 18 appearances with the Yankees last year.

Efforts by manager Aaron Boone to install Kiner-Falefa at second base are also stirring controversy. The second base slot is being contested by 2019 1st-overall pick Anthony Volpe and Gleyber Torres. Torres hit .257/.310/.451 with 24 home runs and 76 RBIs, marking his best offensive year since 2019.

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New York Yankees

@Yankees

Split Squad action comin' up

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Split Squad action comin' up 👊 https://t.co/KPkM2wA3jX

"Split Squad action comin' up" - New York Yankees

On March 11th, the New York Yankees will play two simeltanous games against the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies. Although having two rosters in action ostensibly provides a temporary solution to the positional crunch, fans still aren't happy.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa was given the nod at second base in the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Fans are excited that Peraza and Volpe will play shortstop in both games, and more are still upset that Kiner-Falefa is playing at all.

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Rich Kosco 🇵🇷🇺🇲

@RichKosco48

@Yankees IKF 2B? Sounds like a terrible idea

@Yankees IKF 2B? Sounds like a terrible idea

Eric Hubbs

@BarstoolHubbs

Yankees play twice today and IKF isn’t the SS in either game

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Yankees play twice today and IKF isn’t the SS in either game https://t.co/Ba3NAjEAbk

There was some degree of optimism. Yankees fans are excited to catch a glimpse of Spencer Jones, a 6-foot-7 outfielder who has been compared to Judge. The 21-year old 2022 1st rounder is getting the nod in center field against the Pirates.

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Addison

@YankeeWRLD

@Yankees Spencer Jones start oh yeah

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@Yankees Spencer Jones start oh yeah

Breton Sibley

@BrettSibley11

@Yankees Spencer Jones Szn

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@Yankees Spencer Jones Szn

Kiner-Falefa came to the New York Yankees in a trade with the Minnesota Twins before last season. The Hawaiian hit .261/.341/.327 with 4 home runs and 48 RBIs. "IFK" as fans know him made 15 fielding errors at shortstop last season.

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Sam Lindauer

@SamLindauer

When you can watch two Yankees games at once and neither has IKF starting at short 🥲

When you can watch two Yankees games at once and neither has IKF starting at short 🥲

David Rifkin

@davidrifkin

@yankeesguy93 Gleyber’s a top 10 hitting 2B so moving him severely hurts your offense. Moving IKF or eating at least half of JD is the move

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@yankeesguy93 Gleyber’s a top 10 hitting 2B so moving him severely hurts your offense. Moving IKF or eating at least half of JD is the move

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Isiah Kiner-Falefa is still likely to be a 2023 New York Yankees starter

Despite what fans may think, Aaron Boone is a proponent of Falefa. The New York Yankees manager has even suggested that he may experiment with IKF in the outfield if no options in the infield seem teneble.

Although Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza are stunning young talents, experience often takes precedence. This will work in Kiner-Falefa's favor as we inch closer and closer to Opening Day 2023.

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