Cleveland Indians: 4 players on the hot seat before the trade deadline

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 8: Right fielder Brandon Guyer #6 of the Cleveland Indians catches a line drive hit by Stephen Piscotty #25 of the Oakland Athletics to end the top of the third inning at Progressive Field on July 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

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CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 22: Jason Kipnis #22 of the Cleveland Indians throws to first base against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning at Progressive Field on June 22, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Tigers 10-0. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /

Jason Kipnis

Jason Kipnis is on the hot seat in a different way. He’s in danger of losing his position, not a spot on the team.

As long as the Indians are tired to Manny Machado, Jason Kipnis is on the hot seat. Machado’s presence would make the Indians infield elite with an accompanying cast of Jose Ramirez at second and Francisco Lindor at short.

That leaves Kipnis as the odd man out who happens to be making $13 million this season.

The Indians reportedly tried to move the two-time All-Star this offseason, but his salary is clearly an obstacle. It’s been written he has no trade value.

Team president Chris Antonetti and GM Mike Chernoff could aways surprise their fans by making a trade for a second baseman. There was a time earlier this season the Indians were connected to Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu. However, the Rockies are still very much in contention for a postseason spot in the NL West.

Scooter Gennett would be a nice addition from the Reds, but Cincinnati is playing well since firing manager Brian Price and replacing him with Jim Riggleman.

Kipnis played better in June, batting .266, but he’s off to a rough July, batting .219 in 39 at-bats spanning 10 games.

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