/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66251161/1173417301.jpg.0.jpg)
Just when you thought the Cubs were going to go through the entire offseason without bringing a significant free agent on board, up pops this rumor:
With a potential opening at second base, Cubs have been in contact with free-agent 2B (and Chicago native) Jason Kipnis. Had .446 SLG vs RHP last season, compared to .342 vs LHP. Former teammate of new Cubs coach Mike Napoli.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 4, 2020
And Kipnis has a little experience at Wrigley Field. pic.twitter.com/wErukeBpy3
Yeah, I’m not sure Cubs fans have any fond memories of that Jason Kipnis home run, nor the foul ball that he hit in the ninth inning of Game 7 off Aroldis Chapman.
Kipnis has had injuries ruin two of his last three seasons, most recently a wrist injury last September that ended his season a couple of weeks early, and perhaps has been responsible for him being unsigned just a couple of weeks prior to spring training.
He has had several very good seasons, including years of 4.5 bWAR (2015) and 3.8 bWAR (2016). Kipnis is a Chicago-area native who played his high school ball at Glenbrook North. He’ll turn 33 just after Opening Day, and with the injury concerns he’s not likely to command a lot of money. Primarily a second baseman, he’s also played a bit of center field in the last couple of years and could probably handle left field as well.
I didn’t mention him in my earlier piece today on under-the-radar minor-league signings, but it seems that he fits in that group pretty well.
On a minor-league contract? Sure, why not?
Poll
Should the Cubs sign Jason Kipnis to a minor-league deal?
This poll is closed
-
82%
Sure! No risk, high possible reward!
-
16%
Nope. He’s too old and injured.
-
1%
Something else (leave in comments)
Loading comments...