Former Yankee Kiner-Falefa Rips 2025 Team, Boone Responds

Kiner-Falefa, now with the Red Sox, says the Blue Jays were happier to face the Yankees than the Red Sox in the ALDS.

Feb. 11, 2026 at 1:47pm

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Former New York Yankees player Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who is now with the Boston Red Sox, criticized his old team, saying the Toronto Blue Jays were happier to face the Yankees than the Red Sox in the 2025 ALDS. Yankees manager Aaron Boone responded to Kiner-Falefa's comments, saying "Whatever, that's fine."

Why it matters

The comments from Kiner-Falefa add some spice to the already heated rivalry between the Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays in the AL East. Kiner-Falefa's criticisms of the Yankees could further motivate the team as they look to bounce back from their ALDS loss to the Blue Jays.

The details

Kiner-Falefa, who played for the Yankees from 2022-2023 before being traded to the Blue Jays at the 2025 deadline, said the Blue Jays were "a lot happier" to face the Yankees than the Red Sox in the ALDS. The Blue Jays ended up defeating the Yankees 3-1 in the series. Kiner-Falefa cited the presence of Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet as a reason the Blue Jays preferred to face the Yankees.

  • Kiner-Falefa made the comments upon arriving at Red Sox spring training camp on February 10, 2026.
  • Boone responded to Kiner-Falefa's comments during his first spring press conference on February 11, 2026.

The players

Isiah Kiner-Falefa

A former Yankees player who is now with the Boston Red Sox. He criticized his old team, saying the Blue Jays were happier to face the Yankees than the Red Sox in the 2025 ALDS.

Aaron Boone

The manager of the New York Yankees, who responded to Kiner-Falefa's comments by saying "Whatever, that's fine."

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What they’re saying

“We definitely felt (Boston) was a tougher matchup for us. Once we saw the other team, we were a lot happier.”

— Isiah Kiner-Falefa

“I guess he was right. Little surprising to hear IKF say that. But whatever, that's fine.”

— Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager

The takeaway

Kiner-Falefa's comments add some extra drama to the already intense AL East rivalry, as the Yankees look to bounce back from their ALDS loss to the Blue Jays. Boone's dismissive response suggests the Yankees may use Kiner-Falefa's criticism as motivation for the upcoming season.