Almost three months ago, I penned a piece about Yankees starting shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa declaring that IKF had been exactly what the team planned for him to be: “good enough.” While acknowledging that it sounded like I was damning him with faint praise, the truth was that “good enough” represented an upgrade at the position. With the top shortstop prospects struggling and more pressing needs in the outfield and pitching staff, Kiner-Falefa kept the position from being a major hole.
That was June 8th. At the time, Yankees Universe looked a lot different. With a 40-16 record and a seven-game lead in the AL East, the Yankees boasted the best offense, defense, and pitching staff in the American League.