Detroit’s season, while strong overall, has hit a rough patch in recent weeks. Once as many as 25 games over .500 following a win against Tampa Bay, the Tigers have since fallen four games under and are currently enduring a four-game skid.
This slump has exposed issues, particularly with production from some of their key sluggers. All‑Star Javier Báez’s OPS+ has dropped to 91, and Zach McKinstry‘s performance has cratered in the second half. Compounding matters, the left side of the infield has been a consistent problem: shortstop Trey Sweeney was demoted to Triple-A for poor performance, in July, and third baseman Jace Jung (despite high expectations) has offered little at the plate and remains in the minors.
With the trade deadline behind them and no major deals completed, the Tigers could miss out on meaningful upgrades. Yet now, with playoff eligibility still accessible, they have a golden opportunity to add a dependable infielder via the waiver wire: Isiah Kiner‑Falefa.
Who Is Isiah Kiner-Falefa?
Pittsburgh has placed veteran infielder Kiner‑Falefa on outright waivers, making him available to all MLB teams with the order determined by reverse standings.
On the season, Kiner‑Falefa has a slash line of .268/.304/.337 with 20 doubles, 35 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases over 117 games. He also has a 78 wRC+ and 80 OPS+. Although his current offensive line is modest, it’s not without context. Last year with the Blue Jays, he posted an OPS+ of 114 over 83 games, suggesting flashes of higher-level production.
Kiner‑Falefa’s true value lies in speed and defense. He’s gone 15-for-19 in stolen base attempts during the 2025 season. Defensively, he’s a plus‑level infielder capable of playing shortstop, second, third base, and all three outfield spots if needed; offering unmatched positional flexibility.
He’s in the final year of a two‑year, $15 million deal (signed in 2024 with Toronto), now playing with Pittsburgh after a mid‑season trade. Crucially, he can still suit up for the Pirates through the waiver process, and any team that claims him by the weekend would retain his postseason eligibility.
Why Detroit Should Consider Claiming Him
Even with his bat underwhelming, Kiner‑Falefa brings elite defensive value and speed–a combination that aligns well with Detroit’s current needs. The Tigers lack infield depth, and his experience can provide much-needed insurance behind struggling or unproven options.
His speed and baserunning prowess add a new dimension to their bench. Even if he’s not hitting for power, the ability to swipe bases efficiently–15 steals with only 4 caught–makes him a weapon off the bench.
Moreover, Kiner‑Falefa’s veteranship and multi‑positional readiness could complement the roster late in games or during playoffs, where flexibility often matters more than brute production.
The Tigers’ waiver priority is low; meaning they’d need some luck to claim him, but with playoff seeding still on the line, a low-cost, high-utility move like this could be a smart gamble.
Challenges and Considerations
There are clear downside factors. Offensively, his metrics this year reflect a player hitting well below league average. Kiner‑Falefa’s .641 OPS, 78 wRC+ and limited power are concerning, despite better historical performance.
Financially, he’s owed approximately $7.5 million this year, with about $1.21 million remaining. That’s not trivial, especially for a bench role.
Waiver claims also carry risk: if he clears waivers unclaimed, he can reject a minor-league assignment and elect free agency while still receiving his salary, leaving the Tigers to burn a roster spot without return.
Still, compared to a trade deadline deal, this is a low-risk, potentially high-reward option to bolster depth at minimal return.
Tigers Waiver Claim Could Land Pirates’ Versatile Veteran