There are options to trade India and make the team better.JEFF CARRNOV 18, 2023 1:28 PM EST

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Jonathan India has been in Cincinnati Reds trade rumors for more than a year. 

The team has had trade talks with multiple teams this offseason. 

What could the Reds get in return for the former National League Rookie of the Year?

Let’s craft the best, most reasonable trades involving India, both singularly and as a package:

Jonathan India As The Only Trade Piece

India ranks 27th in the Reds organization with a trade value of $7.7 million according to Baseball Trade Values. For comparison’s sake, according to Baseball Trade Values, India is worth around the same as your catcher Alfredo Duno and Stuart Fairchild. This is a good place to start as we evaluate what the Reds could get in return for the shortstop, even though it is not the end all be all of assessing India’s trade value for other teams.

In light of this, a deal in which India is the only player involved won’t result in the return of a top-tier starting pitcher. Thus, we’re focusing more on a premium relief pitcher. Given the worth of India, even that is difficult to discover. In this scenario, the Mariners make an intriguing trade offer, even though they don’t get back a legitimate major league player.

RHPs Emerson Hancock and Prelander Berroa are acquired by the Reds.

Mariners acquire Jonathan India at second base.

In exchange, the Reds would acquire two pitchers to bolster their rotation, but both are young. Hancock is the superior player amongst the two and may start. In his debut season in the majors, he did make three starts for the Mariners last season. His career in the minor leagues wasn’t very noteworthy. His walk rate was about average and his strikeout rate was below average. Some people wonder if Hancock will go to the bullpen or stay in the starting lineup.

Berroa is a captivating athlete. Throughout his minor league career, he struck out a lot of batters, but he also walked a lot of people. For his cup of coffee, he did relieve in two games during the previous season. In 1 2/3 innings, he had three strikeouts and three walks. While neither player stands out right away, they both have the potential to develop into important members of the pitching staff and will strengthen its depth.

Jonathan India in Trade Package

India will most certainly be a component of the agreement, if not the main attraction, in order to secure a significant trade. India won’t do it on his own if the Reds really want to bring in a game-changer. 

In order to acquire a good pitcher, they might include India in a deal with a few prospects.

Reds Acquire: RHP Dylan Cease

White Sox Get: Connor Phillips, RHP; Sal Stewart, 3B; Edwin Arroyo, SS; and Jonathan India, 2B

This is a deal with a lot of potential, but this is how the trade might look to align the values. For the past three seasons, Dylan Cease has made over thirty starts in the mound. The Reds starting lineup has been severely lacking in that kind of durability. Cease has two years of club control and was the CY Young runner-up in 2022. He would upgrade a pitching staff in need of a starter pitcher right away.

Regarding the trade-offs made by the Reds, Arroyo, Stewart, and Phillips will all be ranked among their top prospects. The White Sox, who have been trying to rebuild their farm system after it fell apart years ago, ought to be quite interested in this transaction. 

Phillips might start for the Reds on Opening Day if that were the only thing the team lost in this game. The problem is that Stewart and Arroyo are both blocked, and Phillips is a raw talent. The Reds might become a legitimate postseason team for the next two years with the addition of Cease, a proven talent.

The Reds’ tendency to sign Cease to an extension is the major reason to pass on this contract. It’s quite unlikely given his production and the fact that Scott Boras is his agent. He would still only be with the Reds for two years, though. With him in it, the other unanswered questions in this cycle can work themselves out in the interim. 

I continue to believe Cincinnati will benefit from this possible trade.

Bottom Line

The most important query is straightforward: what is general manager Nick Krall’s opinion of India? It’s quite probable that Krall believes differently about the 26-year-old than the trade offers they’ve been given. 

Although a trade doesn’t appear likely, the Reds seem eager to move India if the proper offer is presented. 

Although a trade with India could benefit both the organization and the former Rookie of the Year, the Reds are not required to make a trade this offseason. Even without India, Cincinnati has a strong infield, and even if it’s a package transaction, they could use him to strengthen some other areas of their roster that are lacking.

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