Tribe inks Jason Kipnis to six year, $52.5 million deal
Apr 2, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis (22) hits a single against the Oakland Athletics during the second inning in game one of a double header at O.co Coliseum. (Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports)
Looks like The JK Kid (aka Jason Kipnis) will be donning a Cleveland Indians uniform for a few more years. Today, the Indians and Kipnis reached an agreement on a six-year, $52.5 million deal that will keep him in Cleveland through 2019.
The Tribe’s 2nd round pick of the 2009 draft jumped on the scene last season. ALl he did was earn a spot for the American League on the All-Star Game and finish 11th in the AL MVP voting. This on a season where Kipnis produced a triple slash of .284/.366/.452 with 17 home runs, 84 RBI, 30 steals, and 86 runs scored. His 5.9 bWAR was highest on the team.
The terms of this extension includes a $1 million signing bonus and pay of $2 million for the 2014 season. As for the rest of the deal:
2015: $4 million
2016: $6 million
2017: $9 million
2018: $13.5 million
2019: $14.5 million
2020: $16.5 million (club option, Cleveland has the right to buy out option for $2.5 million)
Easy to see why Cleveland locked up Kipnis. This extension covers all of his arbitration years, plus at least two years of free agency. A young pool of talent with Kipnis, Carlos Santana, and Michael Brantley represent a core the Tribe can build upon for the future.
Now, get that deal with Justin Masterson.
(Call to Wahoo’s on First)