Ex-Toronto Blue Jays player from 2025 roster takes shot at Yankees

It appears that the Toronto Blue Jays preferred to face the New York Yankees rather than the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS.

The Blue Jays, who led the AL with a 94-68 record, earned a bye through the wild-card series and were patiently waiting to see who would come out on top between the Yankees and Red Sox.

Ultimately, it was the Yankees who came out victors in the best-of-three matchup. Former Blue Jay and now Red Sox infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa admitted on Tuesday that he was hoping it would be the Yankees who came out on top in that series.

"I don't know if people were really expecting Boston to get in last year, but I know in Toronto we were happy that [the Red Sox] lost," Kiner-Falefa said. "We weren't ready for [Garrett] Crochet and all those guys."

The Jays got their wish and were able to defeat the Yankees 3-1 in the best-of-five series. The win allowed them to advance to the ALCS, where they faced and ultimately defeated the Seattle Mariners in a gripping seven-game series.

Falefa joined the Blue Jays late in the 2025 season after being scooped up off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 30-year-old was brought in as a depth piece, but will unfortunately best be remembered by what many viewed as a costly base-running blunder in Game 7 of the World Series.

The versatile infielder, who recently signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox, hit .162 with two RBIs in 40 plate appearances for the Blue Jays in their lengthy playoff run late last year.