By james art Jonathan India was a hot trade chip even last winter, when he was coming off back-to-back seasons after winning the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year.
So it’s only natural that the 27-year-old’s value is said to be on the rise as trade talks picked up again in the summer. The Reds kept him and got a .750 OPS from the decision, but it’s still easy to imagine them changing course this winter.
There is likely to be a market for India and the Reds may see him as part of the surplus. Even if they move him, they’ll still have Eli De La Cruz, Jaymer Candelario, Ty France, Spencer Steer, Noelvi Marte, Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand in their mix.
India may be one of many inside players in Cincinnati, but he is alone in the leadership role he plays these days. It’s hard for a team to lose guys like that, least of all when said team is looking to make a move up the rankings after a 77-85 season.