Jonathan India could be a hot trade candidate at the deadline after the Red called up Elly De La Cruz, so which MLB teams should trade for the former ROTY?
The Cincinnati Reds find themselves in somewhat of a predicament. On the one hand, they have former NL Rookie of the Year Jonathan India, a second baseman who has been a solid cog in the lineup, is just 26 years old, and still has three years of club control remaining after this season. On the other is one of the most-hyped prospects in baseball, Elly De La Cruz, who made his MLB debut on Tuesday.
Cincinnati's problem, however, is that De La Cruz is also primarily a second baseman, though he can also play shortstop and third. He played the latter on Tuesday in his debut, fitting in the lineup behind India. But for the future, there is the possibility that the 21-year-old De La Cruz could ultimately make India a trade asset.
For what it's worth, the Reds have appeared reluctant to trade India, who is in the midst of a season where he's slashing .279/.363/.421 with six homers, 15 doubles and 12 stolen bases, at this time. But if teams come calling and are willing to pay a hefty price, the possibility of a trade still looms.
So which teams could make that offer? Let's take a look at three ideal Jonathan India trade destinations.
MLB Rumors: 3 Jonathan India trade destinations after Reds call up Elly De La Cruz
3. Baltimore Orioles should trade for Jonathan India
The Baltimore Orioles showed last season that they were trending toward something good with all of the talent that they've been able to bring into the organization after years worth of seasons where wins have been hard to come by. Now they are putting it all the way together and it's time to get aggressive.
Even though the Orioles are 5.5 games out of first place in the AL East, they are the top wild card team in the American League entering June 7. But one of the areas where they could stand to improve just so happens to be where Jonathan India could help the cause.
Adam Frazier has been the everyday second baseman for Baltimore this season but his production has been pedestrian at best, salshing just .235/.301/.390 on the season, though he does have six home runs, nine doubles and 24 RBI. Even still, India would be a clear upgrade.
More importantly, the Orioles having stacked talent in the system over the years puts them in a unique position to pay the hefty price tag that a trade for India would demand. Colton Cowser is the team's No. 2 prospect and a Top 30 prospect in MLB, and the outfielder would present an upgrade for the Reds that Cincinnati would have to be intrigued by in order to build better for the future.
It could make sense for all sides if the Orioles deem an upgrade in the middle of the infield necessary.
2. Boston Red Sox should trade for Jonathan India
Finding consistency in the middle of the infield has been a massive issue for the Boston Red Sox this season, which anyone with two eyes and half of a brain could've seen coming when they let Xander Bogaerts leave with little meaningful effort to sign him to an extension prior to free agency.
Of course, a big part of that is the Trevor Story injury that has kept him out of action since the spring. He's set to return soon, which will allow Kiké Hernandez to return to his natural position in the outfield. But that still doesn't solve the issue at second base, where Christian Arroyo has played fine but Enmanuel Valdez and Pablo Reyes have been inconsistent.
Even though the Red Sox are in last place in the AL East, they are still 31-30 entering June 7 and have the potential to challenge for a postseason berth. And upgrading the infield could be in order to make that happen.
Whether it's a young arm like Tanner Houck, or a litany of prospects who aren't named Marcelo Mayer (who is likely untouchable in any Red Sox trade), Boston has the ammo to potentially get the Reds to start thinking about budging off of India.
In return, the Red Sox would then be able to move forward with a middle infield of Story and India for the foreseeable future, which would greatly be an upgrade to the current situation if they weren't invested in a trade to acquire such a bump up.
1. San Francisco Giants should trade for Jonathan India
Of the teams mentioned in this, the San Francisco Giants have gotten the most from the second base spot this season when Thairo Estrada, who was activated on Tuesday after a brief IL stint, has been healthy.
Estrada has been arguably the most reliable bat in the Bay Area this season, slashing .301/.345/.466 on the season with 12 doubles, six home runs and a triple. He is second among Giants position players this season with a 2.0 WAR as well, which speaks to how good he's been.
But the fact of the matter is that the Giants need more infield depth. Brandon Crawford has fallen off of a cliff and is hitting below the Mendoza Line this season. And the depth beyound that once Casey Schmitt is in the lineup for him just isn't great.
Acquiring India, however, would be a move for the future. Estrada, since he can be moved around the infield, might be better in the future as a utility player rather than an everyday second baseman. In essence, the Giants could really shore up the infield for the future by looking into a move for India.
San Francisco has a solid farm system with a litany of enticing prospects to dangle in front of the Reds and that Cincinnati could indeed bite on. More importantly, though, the Giants would then set themselves up for a future middle infield of Schmitt and India, which is a nice set of building blocks to move forward with.