Cleveland Indians: Jason Kipnis reportedly set to return to second base

Jason Kipnis’ name has surfaced in trade rumors this offseason, but it appears he is going to return to second base for the Cleveland Indians in 2018.

Now that Bryan Shaw is gone, some Cleveland Indians fans will be searching for a new player to despise in 2018.

Jason Kipnis is a top candidate for that role.

Fans were frustrated after Kipnis’ injury-shortened season in 2017, and for some reason there is a contingent of fans who consider Kipnis to be a terrible defender. I just don’t see any hard evidence for that belief that isn’t “the eye test.”

Some thought Kipnis may be without a position in 2018, but Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com dropped some news today that helps gives a more clear idea of the lineup for the upcoming season:

"Jason Kipnis, a man without a position since the end of last season, is expected to return to second base for the Indians to start the 2018 season."

Fans must remember that just because Kipnis starts the season playing second base, it doesn’t mean that Terry Francona will keep him out there late in playoff games when an upgrade on defense would be beneficial.

Opening Day lineups don’t lock in the order for the entire season, and it make sense for Kipnis to return to second at the start of the year. Francona can see if Kipnis can get back to his old ways, while also testing out some different defensive alignments to figure out the best combination.

More from Away Back Gone

• Cleveland Guardians tantalizingly close to locking up AL Central tiebreakers
• Cleveland Guardians: Terry Francona becomes meme in profanity-laced ejection
• Say goodbye to defensive shifts and hello to bigger bases, pitch clock in 2023
• Cleveland Guardians: Shane Bieber second-fastest to 800 strikeouts in major-league history
• The next week will make or break the Cleveland Guardians’ season

It is a fair point to say that Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor form a great combo in the middle of the infield, but then comes of the question of who is going to be the everyday third baseman.

Giovanny Urshela hasn’t shown enough on offense to earn that role, while Yandy Diaz‘s sample size is too small to entrust the position to him at the outset of the season.

So no one should panic and fear that the defense is doomed with Kipnis at second. He is one of the better offensive players in this lineup when healthy and isn’t that bad at second base.

Indians fans have had the benefit of the front office maintaining an amazing farm system for so long, it seems like some are always on to the next best thing. But giving up on Kipnis this offseason after what was an injury-riddled 2017 campaign isn’t the best idea given his history of solid production.

Next: Who will play third base in 2018?

He is a career .268/.340/.422 hitter coming off the worst season of his career. Fans have to have some faith.