Milwaukee Brewers: Could Jason Kipnis fit with the Crew?
We are maximum two games away from the World Series being over. That means the MLB offseason is not very far away. The Milwaukee Brewers will most definitely be active during this very busy period.
One need that could be addressed is second base. Could Cleveland Indians star Jason Kipnis be a possibility for the Milwaukee Brewers?
Wild speculation is one of, if not the best part, of the MLB offseason. If the Crew somehow pulled off a trade for Kipnis it could help them boost their line-up all the way into October of 2018. The former two time All-Star coming off of a disappointing 2017 campaign as he slashed just .232/.291/.414. He belted 12 home runs and drove in 35 RBIs in 90 games played.
Just one year earlier, 2016, the slugger posted a .275/.343/.469 slash line. He belted a career-high 23 home runs and drove in 82 in 156 games. It seems obvious that when healthy Kipnis can be a cornerstone to any franchise.
What would it take to get Kipnis?
The Milwaukee Brewers have a very deep farm system and could easily make a deal for the slugger. At what cost would the Indians who just were in the fall classic a year ago ask for? There is a wide variety of possibilities that could go into any deal. That is where the wild speculation parts come along.
Back in 2014, the Indians signed Kipnis to a 6 year 52.5 million dollar contract extension. In total Kipnis is owed 13.5 million this season, 14.5 million in 2019, 16.5 million club option in 2020.
Money should not be a problem for Milwaukee as they only have four players under contract, Ryan Braun, Eric Thames, Chase Anderson and Eric Sogard. with more apparently currently in the works
With a reasonable contract. If the Brewers were to pay it all. They would not have to surrender anything too major.
Next: Could Clay Buchholz fit with the Crew?
If this deal does, in fact, get done Milwaukee could have a very powerful line-up in 2018. Kipnis could also provide some insurance to help out recently signed second basemen Eric Sogard.