Kiner-Falefa, a fourth-round draft pick in 2013, spent the first half of the 2025 campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates before closing things out with the Toronto Blue Jays as they made a run to the World Series. In 138 games, he had two home runs, 40 RBI and a .262 batting average.

The New York Yankees lost two bullpen arms to their crosstown rivals this offseason, when former closer Devin Williams and setup man Luke Weaver both signed as free agents with the New York Mets within three weeks of each other in December.