N&N: Jason Kipnis is the starting second baseman for the Indians
Morning news and notes for Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Happy Tuesday, everyone!
Tribe news
30 intriguing position battles -- 1 for each team | MLB
MLB thinks that left field is the position to watch for the Tribe over the next month. I’d extend that to the entire outfield since there’s about a dozen players vying for roles on the team.
I’m sure there will be some old curmudgeons somewhere online lambasting Lindor for “not respecting the game” or some other dumb, worn-out cliche.
Notes: Tito gives speech; Kipnis named starter | MLB
Kip has been my favorite player since 2012, so I’m hoping that he can have one last productive run with the Indians this season.
Lindor talks injury, potential extension at Tribe camp | MLB
Start prepping now for the inevitable departure of Francisco Lindor if the Indians can’t hit the magic number for an extension.
Around the league
- John Henry, owner of the Red Sox, has a blistering take on what can help teams win. He also doesn’t think a mid-season strike will happen.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has a new mentor in Kendrys Morales.
- Miguel Cabrera stepped up to the plate against a pitcher for the first time since June 12.
- Charlie Blackmon will be manning right field for the Rockies this season.
- Arte Moreno is looking at what it would take to extend Mike Trout again.
- It’s the final season for San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy.
- Rob Manfred says that the players are partially to blame for the slow offseason.
- Giancarlo Stanton is throwing some shade at his former club:
Giancarlo Stanton said that his biggest difference in New York was “playing in games that mattered past May 7.”
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) February 18, 2019