The Athletics have shown some level of interest in veteran infielder Jason Kipnis, per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com (via Twitter). It’s not yet clear whether a deal is likely and if so whether it’d include a 40-man roster spot.
It has been a quiet offseason thus far for Kipnis, who hit the open market for the first time when the Indians declined a club option. He has drawn interest from the Cubs, but it has otherwise been crickets.
The 32-year-old Kipnis is accustomed to regular playing time, having accrued nearly five thousand plate appearances over a nine-year run with the Cleveland organization. But clear-cut opportunities at his customary second base have been hard to come by this winter, with a bevy of other candidates also available.
It has been some time since Kipnis was a high-grade offensive threat. He’s a .236/.305/.403 hitter over the past three seasons. But Kipnis has always been much more effective against right-handed than left-handed pitching; unsurprisingly, Gallegos suggests the A’s would consider him in a platoon capacity.
UZR likes him in the field, though DRS and Statcast’s Outs Above Average do not. Kipnis has logged brief time in center field, so perhaps a new team could explore moving him around.
The Athletics already added a left-handed utility piece in Tony Kemp, though the team has committed little more than 40-man space to him at this point. It’s possible he and Kipnis could battle in camp for a role. Veteran lefty utilityman Ryan Goins is also on hand. Righty hitters Chad Pinder and Franklin Barreto factor in the potential mix at second base as well.
No we already have a big competition at 2B unless we offload one or two for Joc or a SP
i am holding out hope that they sign Holt. He fits the A’s much better since he plays multiple positions.
I see no advantage for the A’s signing Kipnis
Dingerzzzzz…five years ago….
I don’t see Mateo or Barreto getting a real shot.
Barreto is getting the starting gig…it’s whether he can do enough to keep it.
Holt will be nice. Still, the hope is to see Franklin Barreto given a full time opportunity to see if he can blossom at 2nd base…
Barreto’s best opportunity at that is on another team, he’s a change of scenery candidate if there ever was one. I’d rather them see what they have in Mateo, who by all accounts, can handle SS in a pinch, Barreto’s been questionable in the field at best.
If it was a minor league deal it might make sense to add him for depth with a invite to major league camp.
I can see Oakland getting a Vet just in case Barreto isn’t quite ready. And it plugs a pretty big hole on their team if it works out. Might be a good move.
Barreto is out of options.
Neuse is better
Barreto has hit at AAA but not at the Majors so Kipnis could hold down 2B vs RHP’s and Kemp and Pinder can handle utility roles which would be an upgrade.
Is he cheap? Must be, otherwise Mr. Beane wouldn’t be interested in him.
Obviously. We’d be getting the washed out Kip hoping he has a bounce back.
They need to trade baretto, id imagine some rebuilding team could take a flier on him. Pretty obvious the A’s wont give him an extended opportunity. They probably keep mateo instead since his ability to 0lay SS and even CF if needed. And with semien pending free agency after 2020
I’d rather have Scooter Gennett
how is Kipnis only 32? rare for guys to fall off a cliff when they’re 29
For bat boy?
He does have interesting looking eyebrows, and hit some homeruns six years ago.
I dont understand it this article has not said anything about Nate Orf, your going to look stupid when he wins the starting job out of spring training.
Doesn’t fit their model …