With a little more than a week before the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline, a report from MLB.com indicated that the Reds would be willing to trade infielder Jonathan India to acquire controllable pitching. This comes after the rises of Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz, and a need for starters at the MLB level.
But which teams make the most sense for a potential India trade? Here’s a look at three teams with arms that could interest the Reds.
Related: What the Braves and Rockies Got in the Pierce Johnson Trade
Guardians
It’s unlikely that the Guardians would make a play for Jonathan India. Although, one could make the argument that this could work.
With Amed Rosario slated to hit free agency after the 2023 season, the Guardians could — in theory — make a move for India and slot 2B Andres Giménez in at short. The 24-year-old Giménez has played 83 career games at short in the Majors, including 18 in 2022, and owns a career Outs Above Average of +8 at the position. And, Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti left open the possibility that Giménez could return to the position at some point in the future.
Realistically, though, that scenario is unlikely to occur. Yes, the Guardians do have a number of young, controllable starters and an offense that could use a jolt. But, it’s very difficult to envision the Guardians part with someone like Logan Allen or Tanner Bibee for India. Those two, along with Gavin Williams, are set to be key pieces of Cleveland’s short and long-term plans.
Marlins
Miami entered the day on July 24 with the 18th-best team OPS (.720), and it is possible that the Marlins look to add a bat prior to the Trade Deadline to beef up the team’s lineup. India’s ability to get on base and power might be appealing to the Marlins, and Miami does have a few controllable arms, like Braxton Garrett, that could interest the Reds.
The issue with Miami is twofold: Miami dealt from the organization’s pitching depth in the winter and Marlins already have a second baseman in Luis Arraez. However, Arraez has never been an above-average defender. Now, Miami could move him to first. But with Yuli Gurriel and Garrett Cooper around, that would be tricky. A move to the designated hitter spot would also be plausible, but unlikely given that Jorge Soler is the team’s regular DH.
The Marlins do have a more significant need at third that needs to be addressed. Miami reportedly showed interest in Jeimer Candelario.
Mariners
On paper, the Seattle Mariners would make the most sense for Jonathan India. That’s not because the Mariners and Reds have made several trades over the past two years.
Seattle has several young starters, like Bryce Miller and Logan Gilbert, that would make sense for the Reds. While it’s unknown whether Seattle would entertain the idea of trading the former Stetson star, Gilbert’s name has been floated in recent weeks. NL Central rival St. Louis is reportedly interested in the 26-year-old.
Another reason why a Reds-Mariners deal for India would make sense is because Seattle’s received below-average productions from infielders Kolten Wong and Jose Caballero at second this year. The M’s thought Wong would be the team’s answer at second when Seattle acquired him via trade this past offseason, but that didn’t turn out to be the case.
India could be the piece that ends the Mariners’ struggles at second. But, would the M’s be willing to deal pitching — something not easy to come by — in order to plug that hole?
