MLB Rumors: Could the Reds trade Jonathan India?
Reds middle infielder Jonathan India is just two years removed from winning National League Rookie of the Year. Yet, he's not necessarily a core part of the team's future. At 26 years old, India should fit into the Reds winning ways, whenever they come. But instead, it's top prospects Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz who are receiving all the hype.
De La Cruz is closing in on his major-league debut, as he's climbing the minor-league ladder rather quickly. When that happens, the Reds will look for him to form an electric middle infield with McLain, which leaves India on the outside looking in.
"It's part of the game. There are always guys behind you, always," India said, per The Athletic. "If I just play well, it won't matter. That's all I can do, play my best and make the decision tough for them."
In an appearance on the Chris Rose Podcast, India made it clear that his intent is to play for Cincinnati for a long time, if given the opportunity.
"I love this team, I love this organization, and I love this city… I'm going to give my all for this team no matter what happens," India said.
India is slashing .276/.362/.421 this season with an OPS of .783. His ability to take pitches and make things happen on the basepaths with his speed has rubbed off on his teammates.
"When you have somebody who has had a lot of success in the league already, a former Rookie of the Year, leadoff hitter that plays every day and doesn't complain and is definitely one of the leaders in our clubhouse," veteran catcher Curt Casali said recently, "He's the guy that picks out everybody for having a good game after we win. People listen to what he has to say. If he's the guy that's going first, the people who follow better bust it as well, because anything less is unacceptable. He definitely can be a vocal leader, but he's definitely a leader by example."
Trading India is the easiest solution, but it also presents a problem for the Reds clubhouse. They respect the former Rookie of the Year, and as talented as De La Cruz may be (some have dubbed him an Oneil Cruz/Fernando Tatis Jr. type), he'll be entering a war zone when promoted to the majors.
MLB Rumors: A Juan Soto trade regrade
The Washington Nationals traded Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres at the deadline last July. In the moment, it was easy to declare San Diego the winners of said trade. After all, they acquired one of the best players in baseball, right?
Soto has struggled at times since the trade. Living up to those enormous expectations, as well as the $400 million-plus contract he reportedly turned down from the Nationals prior to the move, is a lot of pressure. He's come around a bit lately, slashing .248/.413/.470 with an OPS+ of 150.
The trade cost Pads general manager A.J. Preller an arm and a leg in prospects, and San Diego must back up the brinks truck to sign him long-term. Looking back, here is what the trade looked like in the moment.
Along with those four, the Nationals also acquired right-handed pitcher Jarlin Susana and Luke Voit.
Abrams is just 22 years old and formerly one of the best prospects in baseball. The Nationals are letting him learn on the fly with a losing team, thus receiving all the at-bats he needs. This season, he's slashing .237/.286/.403. Hassell and Wood are two top-100 prospects in Washington's system. There is particular excitement around Wood at the moment.
The 20-year-old is already the No. 7 prospect in all of baseball. Nats manager Dave Martinez is already excited about what the young outfielder can bring to the table when called up.
"He understands the strike zone. The biggest thing for young hitters is understanding what you're really good at and what you can hit really well. Accepting your walks," Martinez said, per Yahoo Sports. "And he's done that. The last person we had like that was Soto."
Hassell has the above-average arm and speed necessary to be a great center fielder. A teammate of Wood's in Double-A, the pair could come up around the same time.
As for Gore, he's already made an impact on the Nationals pitching staff, starting 12 games with a 3.66 ERA.
Suddenly, Washington's return for Soto is rounding into form.
San Diego Padres: B
Washington Nationals: B-
MLB Rumors: Too soon for a Mets Jacob deGrom victory lap
As much as some New York Mets fans want to say 'I told you so,' hold the phone. It's still too soon.
The Texas Rangers placed Jacob deGrom on the 60-day injured list on Monday night, but that move is backdated to late April, so he's still eligible to return whenever the Rangers see fit. Considering they are among the best teams in baseball so far this season and sit atop the American League West, what's the rush?
Rangers general manager Chris Young played coy with the roster move, and wouldn't say whether or not deGrom had suffered a setback. Given deGrom's complicated injury history, it's not a huge surprise that Young would rather say less.
"No, I would say that I don't think it's (a setback)," Young said on Monday. "It hasn't improved, maybe, as quickly as we had hoped. But I think that's part of why we want to make sure we get further tests and see where we are."
New York Mets fans are all too familiar with this trick. Just as deGrom gets ready to come back, something happens. It's traumatic for the fanbase, and frankly many Mets fans grew tired of it by the end of deGrom's tenure in Queens. Yet, it's still too soon to consider New York the real winner of deGrom's departure.
deGrom is the best pitcher in baseball when healthy. If — and this is a relatively major if — he is able to come back healthy for the MLB postseason, he could be the force the Rangers need atop their rotation.
Just think it through. The one thing Texas is lacking is another horse in the stable. deGrom can be just that alongside Nathan Eovaldi, and he'll be well rested due to the lack of starts so far this season.
If the Rangers are to make a postseason run, doesn't that alone make deGrom's contract worth it for an ownership group that opened their wallets for exactly that reason?