Indians could begin extension talks with Kipnis this spring

Indians could begin extension talks with Kipnis this spring

Published Jan. 26, 2014 6:28 p.m. ET

The Indians and Jason Kipnis could begin discussing a contract extension as early as Spring Training, according to Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer.

The All-Star second baseman spoke with local media during Tribe Fest, saying that he would be "open" to a long-term extension.

Kipnis won't be arbitration eligible until 2015, but there's a good chance the Indians will try and lock him up at least through his arbitration years. He becomes a free agent in 2018.

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Last season, Kipnis was red-hot during the months of May and June, propelling him to A.L. Player of the Month honors in June and his first All-Star nod.

Kipnis, 26, is coming off a year where he batted .284/.366/.452 with 17 homers, 84 RBI and 30 stolen bases.

"I'm looking forward to getting started," Kipnis said. "We know we can win with the group of guys we have in this locker room. We did it last year, so we're looking to build off of it."

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