CLEVELAND– Everyone knows this offseason has been a fairly quiet one for the Cleveland Indians.
And the reality of their situation is, it’s likely going to stay that way.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Indians will be unable to “exploit the market” the way they did last January when they inked Edwin Encarnacion to a three-year, $60 million deal. But according to Rosenthal the Indians still have moves they want to make:
“The Indians want to add bullpen help and a right-handed hitting outfielder, but due to financial limitations they most likely will be limited to minor league contracts unless they clear money in other deals.”
But if they are really serious about making moves, Rosenthal says they could trade Jason Kipnis to free up some cash. He is owed $30.5 million through 2019. But according to Rosenthal, it is still “unlikely” that a trade for Kipnis would happen because of how much money is still left on his contract.
Just last week, Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com reported that Kipnis would return as the Indians’ second baseman for the 2018 season.
Indians plan on moving Jason Kipnis back to second base for 2018. https://t.co/AkCyOAKnQp
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) January 6, 2018
On Sept. 17, Kipnis made his outfield debut for the Tribe and stayed at center field through the ALDS, due in part to rehabbing his own injuries as well as Michael Brantley’s ankle injury he suffered in August. Depending on Brantley’s health, however, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Kipnis at least temporarily start the season in the outfield. Brantley underwent surgery on his ankle in October after the season ended.
According to Hoynes, the decision is surprising because some in the organization liked “playing Lindor and Ramirez in the middle of the diamond backed by Zimmer in center field. Those are three Gold-Glove caliber defenders.”
For the season, Kipnis hit .232 (78-for-336) with 25 doubles, 12 homers and 35 RBI.
The bottom line is the team remains extremely limited for the remainder of the offseason, unless they can find a way to free up some cash.
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