Reds holding firm as multiple teams reportedly inquire about Jonathan India trade

Unsurprisingly, with the MLB GM Meetings beginning this week, the Reds rumors have already begun to take shape. With the decision to decline Joey Votto's team-option now in the rearview mirror, the focus shifts to Jonathan India.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, India's name is a popular one among many executives this week. Multiple teams have inquired about the availablity of the Cincinnati Reds infielder.

However, it appears as though Cincinnati is holding firm for the moment. Morosi is reporting that the Reds will listen to offers due to their position-player depth, but they value India highly and aren't motivated to move him.

Reds holding firm as multiple teams reportedly inquire about Jonathan India trade

The emergence of last year's rookie class put a target Jonathan India's back, so to speak. With Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Noelvi Marte all getting an opportunity to start on the infield last season, there are some who see India as expendable.

But the Cincinnati Reds front office doesn't share that same sentiment, at least not according to Jon Morosi's report. While there is merit to the idea of trading India this offseason, espeicially if it helped the Reds secure some pitching depth, the 26-year-old's intangibles are unmatched.

India is viewed as a team-leader, and after parting ways with Joey Votto last week, Cincinnati may be hesitant to tear down the veteran leadership on the team in favor of a full-blown youth movement.

Outside of India, Tyler Stephenson, Luke Maile, Nick Senzel, and Jake Fraley, the entire group of Reds position players have just completed their first or second year in the big leagues.

Jonathan India is due a raise through arbitration this winter, but with Maile and Hunter Greene as the only guaranteed contracts on the payroll for next season, the former first-round pick's salary should not come in to play when discussing the pluses and minuses of trading him this winter.

India's name will continue to emerge more and more as the offseason unfolds, but these latest Reds rumors are nothing new to the University of Florida alum. India's name was batted about at this past summer's trade deadline, and the Reds kept him on the roster.