5 Reds players and prospects who could be traded during the MLB Winter Meetings

2. Reds 2B Jonathan India could be traded during the MLB Winter Meetings

Where there's smoke, there's fire. While it feels as though the Jonathan India trade rumors have been beaten to a bloody pulp this offseason, and they have, there's obviously some validity to them. Those rumors are not going to go away once the MLB Winter Meetings begin next week.

India is a prime candidate to be traded for two reasons. First, he's entering Year 1 of his arbitration window and should receive a nice raise heading into the 2024 season. That said, the Reds can more than afford to pay India after shedding so much of last year's salary with Joey Votto and Mike Moustakas off the books.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, the Cincinnati Reds have more infielders than they know what do with. India joins a crowd that includes Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marte, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Matt McLain, and Spencer Steer.

India is somewhat land-locked, as he's never really played any other position besides second base. When the former first-round pick has taken reps at the keystone, his defense usually grades out as below-average.

However, Jonathan India is viewed as the leader of the Reds clubhouse and possesses a level of intangibles that can't be measured. If so many other teams are that enamored with India, perhaps the Reds would do best to hang on to him heading into next season.