Cleveland Indians: Possible Jason Kipnis trade destinations

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If the Cleveland Indians are prepared to trade Jason Kipnis, which teams would have the most interest?

After parts of seven seasons with the Cleveland Indians, Jason Kipnis may begin next season in a new uniform. Kipnis played in just 90 games due to injury and the Indians have available backups in place to hold down the fort in his absence. A trade this winter looks very much possible. Is this the end of Kipnis in Cleveland?

Since debuting in 2011, Kipnis has slashed .268/.340/.422 for the Indians. He was an All-Star for the first time in 2013, a year that included a career-high 84 RBI and 30 stolen bases. Unfortunately, Kipnis suffered a severe decline the following year before rebounding with another great season in 2015. Kipnis would later play a huge role during the Indians’ 2016 run to the World Series. If not for him, Cleveland may not have come so close to winning it all.

As far as his contract goes, the Indians got the best years out of him at the greatest value. He’ll make $13.6 million next year and $14.6 the year after. In 2020, Kipnis’ contract calls for $16.5 million or a $2.5 million buyout. It’s far too early to predict what will happen at that point. For the sake of a possible trade, teams should feel a little more comfortable knowing they can get out of the deal pretty easily.

Even though he played poorly last year, there is an excuse for it. Kipnis is very much tradable and someone the Indians will definitely consider sending elsewhere.

Where should they start?

Los Angeles Angels

The Los Angeles Angels are, again, in the market for second base help. With so many options out there, why would Kipnis be the right fit?

Well, maybe he’s not the best choice at this point in his career. Kipnis clearly took a step back in 2017, but we can blame much of that on injuries. If he could return back to his previous form, the Angels would have an amazing combination up the middle with Kipnis at second base and Andrelton Simmons at shortstop.

The benefit of having Kipnis around goes beyond manning second base. The Angels’ other needs, at third base and left field, may also resolve with Kipnis on the roster. He’s certainly capable of playing both positions. Indians’ manager Terry Francona even went as far as to trust him in center field during 2017 when they needed him. The result was quite promising although Kipnis probably won’t win any Gold Gloves beyond the infield dirt.

Any trade the Indians make with the Angels involving Kipnis would likely serve as a salary-dump focused transaction. The Indians are only ready to move on from Kipnis due to financial concerns. His leadership is still very valuable to them yet not as important as having extra money to spend elsewhere. Falling to the New York Yankees in the ALDS should certainly motivate them to build a better roster for 2018. While they have an ace in Corey Kluber getting vastly underpaid, it’s important for the Indians to go after a championship as hard as possible.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Hollywood could put together a television show inviting second basemen everywhere to compete for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting job next season. Chase Utley is a free agent and Logan Forsythe’s option is tempting to decline. Absent of any other MLB-experienced choices on the roster, it could be time for the Dodgers to join the Kipnis sweepstakes.

The Dodgers will employ whoever they want at second base next year. They always seem to get their man without paying an arm and a leg. Somehow, they’ve managed to pick up Yu Darvish and a few other big names over the past two seasons without losing Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger, or Alex Verdugo. I don’t foresee this changing in any trade for Kipnis.

At first thought, the player I could see the Indians target in exchange for Kipnis is outfielder Joc Pederson. The left-handed hitting Pederson has fallen on some hard times. Soon, Verdugo should replace him in the starting lineup full-time.

It would take more than just Pederson to pry Kipnis away. Thankfully for the Dodgers, there are others they can sacrifice. It won’t take much either, but will put a small dent on the 2017 rosters. Hopefully, it’s something Kipnis can fix.

One downside to Kipnis is he brings with him a left-handed stick. The Dodgers may already have too many in their lineup. This shouldn’t factor in too largely. Talent always outweighs any split.

Milwaukee Brewers

After the year they had in 2017, it’s tough to imagine the Milwaukee Brewers let themselves slide back down the standings. One way to help avoid this is by making a trade for Kipnis.

The Brewers’ second base situation is unknown next year. They can try to see if Jonathan Villar can get back to the way he was in 2016. They can also attempt to re-sign rental Neil Walker. Other options include targeting the rest of the free agent second basemen looking for new homes. While this can help keep the farm intact, it’s no bargain to the payroll.

The wonderful thing about the Brewers is that if Kipnis is someone they want, he is someone they can get. Their minor league system is one of the best in baseball. Not making a trade this offseason to upgrade somewhere would be a mistake. It’s all just a matter of whether or not Kipnis is the right guy to spend on.

MLB’s second base trade market is vast this offseason with guys like Kipnis, Brian Dozier, Ian Kinsler, and Cesar Hernandez as trade block candidates. Kipnis fits well with the Brewers thanks to his contract length, the money owed, and postseason experience. With the Indians set to lose multiple players to free agency this winter, they will look to add MLB-ready talent. Trading Kipnis is one way to accomplish this.

Texas Rangers

How would Kipnis fit in with the Texas Rangers? At first glance, it doesn’t make much sense. Dig deeper and there’s a match.

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Kipnis isn’t about to take over innings from Rougned Odor just yet. Instead, if he were to find himself playing for the Rangers, it would be in center field. The Rangers are unlikely to bring back Carlos Gomez which leaves them with a large hole to fill. If uninterested in a long-term deal, they could experiment with Kipnis for a year or at least a few months until another option presents itself.

Hypothetically, Kipnis may also spend time as the Rangers’ first baseman and third baseman. Mike Napoli won’t return to Texas next year and Adrian Beltre is nearing the end of his illustrious career. Among the teams with a possible interest in Kipnis, the Rangers have the most positions to play him at.

The problem is that the Rangers’ farm system is rather depleted. They did add a little this past season in the Yu Darvish and Jonathan Lucroy trade, but not nearly enough to secure their choice of second baseman. It may take some luck to acquire Kipnis. More importantly, it will take some quick action before the rest of baseball starts talking with the Tribe.

Toronto Blue Jays

A trade between the Indians and the Toronto Blue Jays involving Kipnis could change the American League East. The Blue Jays are at a crossroads this winter with one very specific choice to make: do they continue to build or tear down and rebuild?

I like to think the Blue Jays have one last chance to win a championship. Before Josh Donaldson leaves for free agency, it’s worth going after a trophy.

Kipnis would certainly help the Blue Jays upgrade at second base over the often injured Devon Travis. He’d also give this lineup another left-handed bat which they could definitely use. Because of his growing flexibility on defense, Kipnis could also share time in the corner outfield positions. Center fielder Kevin Pillar won’t lose time at his spot so anytime Kipnis spends in the outfield would be at a corner spot.

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Toronto should have the means to afford Kipnis. If thought of as a replacement for Jose Bautista by the payroll department, it works out fine.

The biggest question is how much the Indians would ask for in return. It’s clear they still plan to compete next year with or without Kipnis on the roster. Therefore, much of the power lines in their hands.

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