After Ian Kinsler decided to waive his no-trade clause and join the Los Angeles Angels, the Mets were left pivoting to other second base options.
The most feasible, at that point, seemed like Jason Kipnis of the Cleveland Indians. The Tribe have Jose Ramirez to man second, who supplanted Kipnis at the position last season. They are also in win now mode and could look to shed his contract.
However, a source has now expressed skepticism to Marc Carig of Newsday that a deal between the two teams for Kipnis will get done.
The Mets have been rumored to absorb salary in a trade for a second baseman so as not to dip into their already depleted farm system. Kipnis has either two years at $30.5 million or (if his 2020 option is picked up) three years at $44.5 million left on his contract.
The 30-year-old Kipnis is coming off an injury-riddled season that saw him appear in just 90 games. In 373 plate appearances, he hit a dismal .232/.291/.414 with 12 homers, 35 RBI, an 82 wRC+ and a .300 wOBA.
Across 620 2/3 innings at second in 2017, he had a -1.5 UZR and -2 defensive runs saved (DRS).
However, this is just one year removed from him hitting .275/.343/.469 with a 116 wRC+ and .347 wOBA. He was also much better in the field, as he was good for 4 DRS and a 7.3 UZR in 1,309 1/3 innings in 2016.
If the Mets lose out on Kipnis, they will be forced to again pivot to another second base option. Other names that have come up as potential options are Josh Harrison of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cesar Hernandez of the Philadelphia Phillies.
However, there has not been much traction in any conversation regarding Harrison, and Hernandez is likely going to require a nice package of prospects due to his strong 2017 campaign and team friendly contract.
A name that has been rumored as a fallback option if nothing else comes to fruition is longtime Met Jose Reyes.
