Isiah Kiner-Falefa's move to center field brings him no reprieve from New York Yankees fans: "He needs to be traded now"

After a preseason that has been defined by experimentation, Isiah Kiner-Falefa of the New York Yankees has shared his thoughts on his newest position in the lineup.

In a piece for MLB.com, writer Bryan Hoch caught up with Kiner-Falefa, who appeared in 134 games at shortstop for the New York Yankees last year. Hoch wanted to know how the 27-year-old Hawaiian felt.

"I think it’s just good to add some tools,” Isiah Kiner-Falefa said.

He has played in over 311 career games, but has yet to make an appearance in the outfield.

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Talkin' Yanks

@TalkinYanks

Aaron Boone plans to start Isiah Kiner-Falefa in center field this week, per @BryanHoch

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Aaron Boone plans to start Isiah Kiner-Falefa in center field this week, per @BryanHoch https://t.co/1F6if8Wk6d

"Aaron Boone plans to start Isiah Kiner-Falefa in center field this week, per @BryanHoch" - Talkin' Yanks

IKF is currently slated to start at center field on Friday when the Yankees travel to Lakeland, Florida, to take on the Detroit Tigers. He is taking over the position after it was announced that center Harrison Bader will miss the start of the season with an injury.

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Jonny's Lasagna ⚾️

@JLasagna43

@BryanHoch His toolkit: hit soft singles and bounce throws

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@BryanHoch His toolkit: hit soft singles and bounce throws

Ethan Berenbaum

@EthanBerenbaum

@BryanHoch Ikf with his tool kit

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@BryanHoch Ikf with his tool kit https://t.co/7o6XtBhFQz

derek

@NYderek_22

@BryanHoch This franchise is so unserious

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@BryanHoch This franchise is so unserious

During spring training, several young infielders like Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza have gained a lot of favor among fans, who see them as preferable to Kiner-Falefa. After hitting .261 with only four home runs, Yankees fans want someone with a stronger bat.

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Nicholas Altieri

@NicholasAltier9

@BryanHoch He just needs to be traded no centerfield no nothing just get him out of NY he needs to get traded now

@BryanHoch He just needs to be traded no centerfield no nothing just get him out of NY he needs to get traded now

Arriving in a trade with the Minnesota Twins with third baseman Josh Donaldson last year, Kiner-Falefa is making $6 million this year under a one-year contract with the New York Yankees. Both he and Donaldson have repeatedly come under fire from fans for not living up to the value of the March 2022 trade.

In the outfield, other strong rookies threaten Kiner-Falefa as well. Six-foot-seven Spencer Jones has been compared to Yankees superstar Aaron Judge. Fans are now also wondering if Jones might be a better option than Falefa.

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Aranda

@joestheticss

@BryanHoch Noodle arm

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@BryanHoch Noodle arm

Nick DeCicco

@nick_decicco_02

@BryanHoch He sucks

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@BryanHoch He sucks😭

Overall, the overwhelming opinion among fans seems to be that IKF should be traded and replaced at every position with preferred players. Although that scenario does not seem likely, IKF faces an uphill battle for fan approval as enters the New York Yankees starting lineup.

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Yankees management seems bent on inserting Isiah Kiner-Falefa into the lineup

Yankees manager Aaron Boone has also been criticized for seemingly stopping at nothing to find a spot to install the shortstop. Ultimately, it will be his performance on the field and in the box that will keep him around, whether the fans like it or not.

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