Cubs Reportedly 'in Contact' With Free Agent and Chicago Native Jason Kipnis

Jason Kipnis has spent all nine years of his MLB career with the Cleveland Indians. The team let the second baseman walk this offseason and his name has been quiet in the rumor mill up to this point.

The latest and first real update on Kipnis' 2020 status is that his hometown team is considering a deal for the two-time All-Star.

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.

And Kipnis has a little experience at Wrigley Field. pic.twitter.com/wErukeBpy3
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 4, 2020

The Chicago Cubs have had a quiet offseason, focusing on less impactful free agents. Now with Addison Russell gone the team could use another infielder and Kipnis would be a nice low-risk signing.

Kipnis has never been a negative-WAR player in his nine seasons and has a career slash line of .261/.333/.417. He hit 17 home runs and 23 doubles in 2019 for the Indians.

The Cubs could take a flier on the Northbrook native as a complimentary second baseman.https://t.co/LKW50J0RQP
— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) February 5, 2020

The veteran could enter Cubs camp on a minor league deal and fight for a starting spot.

Nico Hoerner, David Bote, and Daniel Descalso are the others in the mix for the second base job. Kipnis has had a better career than all three.

Kipnis has a high ceiling and at this point in the offseason, any potential impact signing is a must for a Cubs team fighting for legitimacy in the NL Central.