Cleveland Indians: Jason Kipnis linked to the New York Mets

Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis could be playing elsewhere in 2018 after being linked to the New York Mets in recent trade rumors.

The 2017 MLB Winter Meetings are officially over, but that doesn’t mean the rumors have died down.

Cleveland Indians fans didn’t see the team make many moves throughout the week, but Jason Kipnis’ name continues to come up as a potential trade option.

Things seemed to heat up a bit when SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo sent out this tweet on Thursday:

Mets have had serious talks with Cleveland on Jason Kipnis this week, source tells SB Nation. There's been traction there. Fit looks even better with Kinsler to Anaheim.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 14, 2017

Kipnis’ name has come up as a potential option in a trade, but this was perhaps the first real evidence that he could be on his way out soon.

However, Jordan Bastian seemed to slow down the rumors this morning:

Indians and Mets have indeed talked about Kipnis, but "not sure how in-depth" talks are, says one source. Tribe also met with Kipnis' representatives at the Winter Meetings.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) December 15, 2017

Kipnis’ future is an interesting case. Before the postseason began, the thought of trading him may have sounded crazy to fans. He has been a staple in Cleveland since becoming an everyday player back in 2012, and is under contract for at least two more seasons.

The contract is what causes a potential problem.

Kipnis is owed $13.67 million in 2018 and then $14.67 million in 2019, while the team holds a $16.5 million option in 2020. That is a lot of money for a player who some see as positionless after Jose Ramirez‘s success at second base in 2017.

The problem I see is that trading Kipnis still leaves questions at third base. Yandy Diaz is an option, but having him at third base on a permanent basis may be a risk for a team with World Series hopes.

The easiest option, and what I see as the smartest, is to hang on to Kipnis and have him start at second, while Ramirez starts at third. Terry Francona may have over thought things in the postseason by putting Kipnis in center, as he is not as bad at second base as some fans like to believe.

If the issue is indeed his salary, then it is questionable as to why the team signed him to the deal in the first place. If Michael Brantley is going to get a new deal, there is no reason to let go of Kipnis just in the name of saving nearly $14 million.

Next: How the Indians should fill the Bryan Shaw void

He is a two-time All Star and trading him after one injury-riddled season seems a bit rash, depending on the return in a potential deal.

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