Rangers trade Kiner-Falefa to Twins
The Texas Rangers traded Isiah Kiner-Falefa, their starting shortstop last season who was supplanted by the blockbuster addition of Corey Seager, to the Minnesota Twins for catcher Mitch Garver.
Texas also sent minor league pitcher Ronny Henriquez to Minnesota in the deal Saturday.
Kiner-Falefa won a Gold Glove playing third base during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season for the Rangers, who announced after that season that he would move to shortstop. Elvis Andrus, the starting shortstop for 12 seasons and the only remaining players from their two World Series teams, was traded to the A's before spring training last year.
Just before the MLB lockout began Dec. 2, the Rangers signed All-Star shortstop Seager to a $325 million, 10-year contract and Gold Glove second baseman Marcus Semien to a $175 million, seven-year deal.
It appeared that Kiner-Falefa would get the opportunity to be their starting third baseman again this season, especially after top prospect Josh Jung had shoulder surgery last month. Now it looks like Kiner-Falefa, who turns 27 later this month, will be at his preferred position of shortstop in Minnesota.
The Twins had a hole at shortstop after letting Andrelton Simmons leave in free agency. One of their best hitters, Jorge Polanco, broke in as a shortstop but has since moved to second base.
Garver had a breakout season in 2019 with 31 homers in 93 games while winning a Silver Slugger award, but the 31-year-old catcher has had injurie issues the past two years. He struggled through the pandemic season in 2020, then missed most of the 2021 season after taking a foul tip to the groin area and needing surgery.
Kiner-Falefa hit .271 with eight homers and 53 RBIs in 158 games last season.
Garver hit .256 with 13 homers and 34 RBIs in 68 games for the Twins last season.
• Veteran left-hander Martin Perez and the Rangers are set for a reunion.
Perez and the Rangers have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal.
Texas initially signed Perez as a 16-year-old international free agent out of Venezuela in July 2007, and he made his bigleague debut in 2012. After his first seven MLB seasons with the Rangers, Perez went to Minnesota in free agency for the 2019 season and then pitched for Boston the past two years.
Perez, 30, has started 191 of his 221 career games in the majors. He started 22 games and relieved in 14 others last year for the Red Sox while going 7-8 with a 4.74 ERA.
BLUE JAYS AGREE WITH PITCHER KIKUCHI >> The Toronto Blue Jays signed left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year, $36 million contract, MLB Network reported.
Kikuchi, 30, spent the past three seasons with the Seattle Mariners, going 15-24 with a 4.97 ERA over 70 games, all starts. He walked 132 and struck out 326 over 365-2/3 innings.
Last season, Kikuchi was 7-9 with a 4.41 ERA in 157 innings, striking out a career-high 163.
Before the lockout, the Blue Jays bolstered their pitching rotation by signing one of the top free-agent starters, former Giant Kevin Gausman, to a fiveyear, $110 million deal. CISHEK, NATIONALS REACH ONEYEAR DEAL >> Right-handed reliever Steve Cishek and the Nationals have agreed to a oneyear, $1.75 million contract.
Last year, Cishek was 0-2 with five blown saves and a 3.42 ERA in 74 games for the Los Angeles Angels.
The 35-year-old Cishek is 3239 with 132 saves in 171 opportunities and a 2.85 ERA in 668 career appearances in the major leagues, all in relief.