CLEVELAND – Back in December it was widely reported that the Indians and New York Mets were in ‘serious’ talks about a deal that could involve moving Jason Kipnis to the Big Apple.
The deal never went down, and now with less than a month to go till the Indians start Spring Training in Goodyear, Arizona, the plan is for Kipnis to forgo the experiment of playing in the outfield, and go right back to his natural spot at second.
“More than likely he’ll play second,” Indians manager Terry Francona said Friday.
“The winter isn’t over yet, but the way we are aligned that looks like the right thing to do, he’s preparing for that.”
Francona said that he never even knew about the trade rumors of the Indians and Mets chatting about Kipnis, who last season had issues staying healthy and played in just 90 games and hit .232 with 12 homers and 35 RBI.
He played in center field during the Indians five game ALDS loss to the Yankees, and in those games went 4-for-22 with one RBI.
“To be honest I didn’t see those rumors, so I couldn’t have a conversation because I didn’t even know,” Francona said. “I heard about them about two weeks later, so I have talked to Kip, just not about that.”
Kipnis was thought of as a player without a position when the offseason started for the Indians, and many felt it was a no-brainer to try and trade him, but it looks like he’s back and the team will shift Jose Ramirez back to third and Kipnis will be back at second once games start in late February.
“I’m excited to play wherever they need me, I’m still waiting to talk to them, for them to tell me more,” Kipnis said. “I know they have a lineup to manage and get going to decide some things, but right now I’m prepared to play wherever they need me.”
As far as the rumors go, Kipnis seemed well aware of what was being said about him, and as most players know, there was nothing he or anyone could do about them if the Indians were going to make a move and deal him to another team.
“There’s nothing I can do about it, that’s part of the business, guys get traded all the time,” Kipnis said. “They know I love playing here, and that I want to stay here, but I know the business side of it, and stuff like that is out of the players control.
“We can only take care of what we can take care of, I’m just worried about getting ready for this next season.”
Kipnis said he feels good less than a month out from spring training, and that he’s planning on doing whatever he can to help the team win, and this time get the job done.
When asked if he felt he would make it through 2018 as a member of the Indians, the seven-year vet said that he is planning on wearing an Indians uniform until he’s told something else.
“I have no other reason to think otherwise,” Kipnis said.
“I think that’s the only attitude I can go with that will serve me the best, to get ready to play for the Cleveland Indians, that’s what I want to do and that’s what I plan on doing until someone tells me otherwise.”
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