Former Indians 2B Jason Kipnis Officially Makes the Cubs Opening Day Roster

A lot of Tribe fans were unhappy when the team didn't pick up the option on second basemen Jason Kipnis, thus allowing him to become a free agent. Kipnis inked a minor league deal with his hometown team the Chicago Cubs, and Friday the team purchased Kipnis' contract, putting him on the team's opening day roster.

While he no longer wears the uniform of the Cleveland Indians, you have to feel good today for ex-Indians second basemen Jason Kipnis, who was informed Friday he made the Chicago Cubs roster.

The Chicago native didn’t have a great spring, but the 33-year-old gives the team a solid veteran presence and versatility for a club with a new manager and having undergone a shift in the roster over the past season.

Kipnis was not brought back to the Tribe this past offseason as the team declined to pick up the team option they had on him.

The Indians instead let Kipnis walk and they picked up free agent second basemen Cesar Hernandez on a one-year deal for $6 million.

Kipnis was one of the more popular Indians, as he would give away his shoes after the season to fans from the player’s parking lot at Progressive Field, and he was always one to sign autographs before the game.

Injuries derailed Kipnis, as he missed most of last season with hamstring issues, and then he suffered a broken hamate bone on September 17, ending his season hitting .245 with 17 homers and 65 runs batted in.

Following the news that Kipnis had made the Cubs roster, a number of Indians fans took to social media to wish him well, with Kipnis replying and thanking Indians fans.

And that’s why I’ll ride with Cle fans any day of the week!! All the “good luck” messages and “miss you’s” I’ve been getting mean the world! #seeyouguyssoon #hellofromtheotherside https://t.co/ODZ5KomZBK

— Jason Kipnis (@TheJK_Kid) July 18, 2020