The Isiah Kiner-Falefa signing was met with a lot of negative reactions, which, at the time, were fair, if a bit premature. The Boston Red Sox had failed to do anything regarding their infield in a post-Alex Bregman world, and the second base competition in the wake of IKF's arrival was disappointing at best.
But it was clear that Craig Breslow was planning something else. Kiner-Falefa's blue-chip skills — his speed and versatility — were rather superfluous with the profile of David Hamilton. If there was going to be any semblance of roster construction applied to the bench, something had to give.
Well, it certainly did as pitchers and catchers began reporting to spring camp, as the Red Sox completed a six-player swap with the Brewers that brought infielders Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio, and Anthony Seigler back to Boston. Notably, Hamilton was among the three players sent to Milwaukee in the trade.
And truthfully, this deal became a lot easier to make once Kiner-Falefa signed.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa freed up Red Sox to move David Hamilton, acquire Caleb Durbin
Two things the Sox desperately needed to improve this offseason was their infield defense and versatility. Too many players were locked into one or two positions, leading to the logjams we see all across the roster in 2026.
Suffice it to say, those needs have been addressed. Between IKF, Monasterio, Romy González, Nick Sogard, and Nate Eaton, the Red Sox now have an entire bench's worth of reserve who can cover every position on the diamond (save for, perhaps, center field, but that's why the outfield logjam exists). Assuming Masataka Yoshida and Connor Wong are still around, only two of those players will make the Opening Day roster, but that's some slick-fielding depth that can cover for any possible injury that may arise.
Hamilton, who was long a favorite of Alex Cora's, is being replaced directly by Kiner-Falefa. The 30-year-old is the platonic ideal of a utility man. Yes, he struggled mightily during the Toronto Blue Jays' playoff run last year to the tune of a .162/.184/.216 line, but he's a solid threat on the basepaths (10+ steals in each of the past five seasons) who can capably play at second, third, and short. He can easily fill the pinch runner and defensive substitute role that made Hamilton so polarizing over the past few years.
Likewise, Kiner-Falefa's presence will allow Durbin to focus exclusively on playing second base, assuming Marcelo Mayer remains the starting third baseman. Considering that González is behind schedule due to a shoulder injury, that's not an insignificant benefit of rostering the veteran infielder.
While he'll still need to produce on the basepaths, in the field, and at the batter's box to justify his $6 million salary, IKF's presence is already benefiting the team by emboldening the front office. If nothing else, he'll be at least tangentially responsible for whatever success Durbin has in a Sox uniform.