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Since making his MLB debut in 2021 with the Cincinnati Reds, Jonathan India has been among the best second basemen in all of baseball. A rookie of the year campaign immediately put India in the spotlight and into the hearts of Reds fans. Little did they know India's breakout in 2021 was merely the beginning of an incredible turnaround for the Reds franchise in 2023.
Amidst their best season since 2013, the Reds are on the verge of making the playoffs in a full season for the first time in 10 years. Cincinnati's postseason run could be slightly overshadowed by the team's possible trade of India before the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline though. It seems unthinkable for the Reds to move one of their most respected and well-loved players, but the thought process behind it makes plenty of sense.
Cincinnati brought an influx of young talent into the season, most of which was still developing in the minor leagues when the season began. Fast-forward to the end of July and some of that young talent has reached the big leagues and are finding their strides rather quickly. Elly De La Cruz does something remarkable seemingly every night, while Matt McLain and Spencer Steer are among the rookie leaders in WAR. All three of them play the infield, not to mention Cincinnati's top-four prospects all being infielders.
That could force the Reds to use India's value as a trade piece and make a move to improve another part of the team. India is a young and controllable player that should be on a lot of teams' radars. As second basemen come, few are better than India right now. He could find himself on one of these teams by next week.
3. New York Mets
The Mets' disappointing season has led many to believe that they will sell off some players at the deadline. That would make a move for India potentially questionable, but the Mets plan on 2023 being an outlier season amid years of sustained success. Owner Steve Cohen did not buy the franchise to build a losing team and has shown he's not shy to make a splash move.
New York doesn’t necessarily have a need at second base with Jeff McNeil holding it down at the position, but McNeil has played the outfield before and has been a rather versatile player for the Mets. Trading for India would improve New York's lineup and give the Mets sustainability at multiple positions with McNeil moving to a corner outfield spot while India occupies second.
Both India and McNeil are everyday players, and the Mets can find a way to have them in the lineup on a daily basis. Adding India to an infield that boasts Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso would give the Mets a fantastic foundation up the middle. It wouldn’t be a move for 2023 but rather the future and one that could help the Mets return to contender status sooner rather than later.
2. Boston Red Sox
Another surprise team this season, the Red Sox have done much better than most people thought they would in 2023. Boston finds itself two games out of a playoff spot and could be a trade or two away from making a real postseason push.
Enter Jonathan India, who would give the Red Sox an improved second base bat in the lineup. Christian Arroyo hasn’t done enough to prove he is the man of the future at the position for Boston, so why not take a chance with India and find a long-term solution with an established player?
The Red Sox haven’t had a consistent second baseman since Dustin Pedroia retired. India is a player who could thrive in Boston given his team-first attitude and ability to bring his A-game any given night. Red Sox fans would quickly fall in love with his work ethic.
The only hold-up for the Red Sox here is that they don’t have many young, controllable starting pitchers that can match the value the Reds are likely looking for. Boston doesn’t have much pitching depth in general, making a trade for India tough to maneuver. Still, the Red Sox would be wise to make a call and at least entertain the thought of adding India.
1. Baltimore Orioles
Another AL East team that is in the midst of the playoff race, the Orioles have ridden the coattails of their young stars to the best record in the American League. On the verge of reaching the postseason for the first time since 2016, the Orioles are likely going to make a few impact moves before the trade deadline.
Adam Frazier has given the Orioles plenty of production from second base this season, but India would undoubtedly be an upgrade offensively. Frazier can also play the outfield, which gives the Orioles some options with their lineup and defensive alignment. He also may not be a part of Baltimore's long-term future given his one-year contract.
The Orioles definitely have the means to acquire India, but a trade for him could be tricky given how much Baltimore has to offer and how it envisions the team's future. Similar to the Reds, the Orioles have plenty of infield depth with a plethora of young players jockeying for position in the franchise's plans. Trading for India may not make total sense given some of those young infielders, but taking a proven player over potential isn’t always the worst thing and the Orioles can afford to take a gamble.
Baltimore also has some young pitchers who fit the bill for what the Reds want, though some of them are currently in the Orioles' rotation. They would likely have to trade for another pitcher in order to include one in a trade for India. The Orioles are ready to be seen as true contenders, and a move like this would show that they mean business.
