Tigers shouldn't be tempted to go after recent Pirates waiver casualty

Some may believe that the Detroit Tigers need a bit of a jolt to their infield, particularly at the hot corner, to help put the team over the top down the stretch. Zach McKinstry has cooled in the second half after an unbelievably hot start, while Javy Baez no longer looks like the rejuvenated player who earned an All-Star nod on the strength of his turn-back-the-clock type performance.

The need here isn't entirely new. The Tigers were rumored to be in the Eugenio Suarez mix at the trade deadline; however, with Scott Harris taking a more conservative route with his approach in July, some would like the club to look to the waiver wire to find fresh blood.

A former Pittsburgh Pirate who fits that bill has just landed there after mercifully given the chance to be released from baseball purgatory in the form of Isiah Kiner-Falefa. While Falefa has the ability to play second, short, and third, the Tigers would be wise to stay away and realize that not all that glitters is gold.

The Tigers would be wise to avoid this recent Pirates cast off

Yes, Zach McKinstry has posted a 73 wRC+ in the second half while Javy Baez's free-swinging ways have reared their ugly head, with a 0.9% walk rate in the second half and a 32.7% K-rate that has produced a .548 OPS since the All-Star Break, but is Kiner-Falefa really the answer?

Known for his contact ability, the well-traveled utility infielder doesn't pack much punch behind his bat-to-ball skills. His .265 batting average on the season is a lot less impactful when you realize it comes paired with a .333 SLG, and an inability to draw walks consistently further negates it as his on-base percentage comes in at just .301 on the year. The total offensive package has produced a 76 wRC+ this season, roughly the same mark that McKinstry has put up during his second-half swoon.

Kiner-Falefa is well-known for his glove, and his defense is a legitimate asset with three DRS produced over 202 2/3 innings at the hot corner to go along with four OAA at the position. However, that doesn't fully make up for his impotent bat and neglects the fact that Detroit has other options here.

Chief among them is Colt Keith, a former top prospect who has really come alive in August. The 23-year-old has been solid for much of the season, but this month has really turned it on to the tune of a .296/.354/.521 line. There's no way a young player like Keith should lose playing time to a 30-year-old journeyman like Kiner-Falefa, who also hasn't shown that he can reach the same heights that the likes of McKinstry and Baez can.

Furthermore, if Detroit really wants to add to their infield mix in September, they have two prospects knocking on the door down at Triple-A Toledo. Hao-Yu Lee, Detroit's No. 7 prospect, has put together a respectable .244/.348/.410 line in his first taste of Triple-A action. The 22-year-old might not be able to handle shortstop like Kiner-Falefa, but his glove is fine at both second and third.

Max Anderson, the Tigers' 10th-best prospect, spent most of his season at Double-A Erie, where all he did was hit, slashing .306/.358/.499. In his 14 games since arriving in Toledo, the 23-year-old has picked up right where he left off with a .290/.343/.500 performance.

This all begs the question: what point would Kiner-Falefa actually serve? He isn't appreciably better than McKinstry or Baez, pales in comparison to Keith, and his potential addition could take away development at bats from two promising youngsters, who themselves are on the doorstep of big league roles. With no clear purpose, the choice should be a hard pass, no questions asked.