Kipnis still with Indians after all
He’s happy to stay, but many of his friends are gone.
GOODYEAR,ARIZ.— All winter Jason Kipnis thought about one thing — the 2019 season.
When he returned from the Bahamas on his one break over the offseason, he landed in Chicago at the height of the polar vortex. It was 25 degrees below zero with a wind chill factor of minus 50.
“We sat on the runway because the jetway was frozen,” said Kipnis. “It was about 100 degrees difference from the Bahamas. Our bags didn’t make it so we had to cab home empty handed. That was an angry day.”
It was as if the weather was telling Kipnis what he was telling himself — enough of the beach, get back to work.
“I had my mind on one thing over the whole offseason — having a good year this year,” said Kipnis. “I really didn’t want to take a vacation.”
Kipnis can be a free agent after the 2019 season. The Indians hold a $16.5 million option on him for 2020, but it’s unlikely they’ll exercise it. The option includes a $2.5 million buyout.
“I feel healthy. I feel strong,” he said. “I put in the work this offseason. I was motivated every single day to have a good year for us and myself. I know how much I love playing this game so I’d like to play it past this year. A good year could go a long way in doing that.”
For the second straight winter, Kipnis was the subject of trade rumors. But the free-agent market was flooded with second basemen who could be had for less than the $14.5 million the Indians owe Kipnis.
“Compared to two years ago when the deal got nixed by (the Mets), this winter seemed a little easier,” said Kipnis. “There was a mix of emotions to be honest. So I have my last contract year where it’s important to me to get at-bats and get numbers. If I was traded, I was looking at who they were talking to and if I’d get playing time. Then you see all your friends getting traded.
“You weigh the pros and cons. But I’ve always stood by how much I’ve enjoyed playing with Indians across my chest. Another year of doing that is more than all right by me.”
This is Kipnis’ 11th season in the organization. Over the winter, several of the players he came up with and grew close to were jettisoned through trades or free agency. Among the departed were Kipnis’ contemporaries Cody Allen, Josh Tomlin, Michael Brantley, Lonnie Chisenhall and Yan Gomes.
Kipnis, 31 in April, laughed when he was asked if he felt like the last man standing.
“A lot of my friends are gone,” he said, “but we still have a good ball club here. I think a lot of guys are ready to have a good year and that’s exciting.”
Kipnis ended last season playing center field in the ALDS for the second straight year. He went home to Chicago not sure if he’d be playing second base or the outfield. Right now it looks like he’ll return to second base.
Kipnis hit .230 (122-for530) with 18 homers and 75 RBI in 147 games last season. He hit .197 (49-for-249) through June 15. He hit .260 (73-for-281) with 14 doubles, 14 homers and 50 RBI over his final 83 games.
The homers and RBIs were in line with Kipnis’ peak seasons, but a .315 on base percentage and a .704 OPS probably won’t play well in next winter’s free-agent market. Especially as free agency has seemingly turned its back on the middle class of veterans in the last two years.