Report: A's in touch with former Indians All-Star Kipnis
The Oakland Athletics are six days away from their first full-squad workout in Arizona and their roster might look a bit different when things get started.
Oakland has been in contact with free-agent second baseman Jason Kipnis, a source told MLB.com's Martin Gallegos.
The A's are set to enter spring camp with Tony Kemp and Franklin Barreto competing for the second-base job.
Neither has had as much success at the big-league level as Kipnis, a two-time All-Star who played 1,121 regular-season games and another 24 postseason contests with the Cleveland Indians before he hit free agency this winter.
Kipnis, who turns 33 in April, would provide the A's with a left-handed bat to balance out their heavily right-handed lineup. The veteran hits right-handers much better than lefties.
Kipnis' career splits
| PA | HR | RBI | AVG | OPS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | 3232 | 95 | 355 | .269 | .788 |
| LHP | 1617 | 28 | 174 | .246 | .673 |
In 121 games for the Indians last season, Kipnis authored a .245/.304/.410 slash line with 17 home runs, 23 doubles, and 65 RBIs.
Kipnis has reportedly also been in contact with the Chicago Cubs, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian.