Which teams are most likely to trade for Reds' star Jonathan India?

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Are the Cincinnati Reds going to trade Jonathan India this offseason? The short answer is, maybe. There is every reason to believe that the Reds could move India this winter, and at the same time, Cincinnati has every reason to hang on to the former NL Rookie of the Year.

The trade rumors have been present ever since the 2023 season came to a close. In fact, there were even whispers near last year's trade deadline. Those rumors only intensified once the Reds inked Jeimer Candelario to a three-year contract, making India's presence on the roster even more redundant.

While the Reds may not be actively shopping India, there are surely teams who are interested in trading for highly-skilled infielder. Which three teams are most likely to trade for India this offseason?

1. LA Angels could trade for Reds 2B Jonathan India

The Los Angeles Angels have a lot of production to replace in their lineup. After losing AL MVP Shohei Ohtani to their in-state rival, the Angels will undoubtedly be looking to revamp the roster heading into 2024.

The Angels have a lot of money tied up in Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon, so being able to secure an affordable bat like Jonathan India would certainly be appealing to LA's general manager Perry Minasian.

The Angels relied on Brandon Drury as their second baseman in 2023, but there's been trade rumors surrounding the former Reds slugger this offseason.

Would the Halos attempt to supplant Drury with India? Neither is an above-average defender at the keystone, but after signing a two-year/$17-million deal last winter, Drury is the more expensive option.

Brandon Drury also offers positional flexibility, as he can play first and third base, so the Angels could always keep the 30-year-old and secure India's services as well.

Adding Jonathan India could help to cushion the blow of losing Shohei Ohtani this offseason. However, LA doesn't have a very deep farm system, so finding an amicable return could be difficult for the Reds and Halos to work out.

2. Red Sox could trade for Reds 2B Jonathan India

The Boston Red Sox have been strangely silent so far this winter. But newly appointed Red Sox executive Craig Breslow could make a splash this offseason by acquiring Cincinnati Reds second basemanJonathan India.

Boston's efforts this winter have centered around adding pitching. The Red Sox are said to be engaged in conversations with free agent hurlers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jordan Montomgery among others. But that doens't mean that Boston couldn't use a right-handed bat like India.

But India's below-average defense could be a huge detriment to a team like Boston who was tied for the AL lead in errors last season. The Red Sox and Oakland A's both committed a league-leading 102 miscues in 2023.

India's defense has been a cause for concern among Reds fans, and is a big reason why it's very likely that Matt McLain will be Cincinnati's Opening Day second baseman in 2024. If Boston is looking to upgrade its defense this winter, India may not be the best bet.

But let's face it, if any team swings a deal for Jonathan India, they're focus is on his bat. Though India has yet to replicate the success from his rookie season, the potential is there. Being that he's under team control for the next three seasons is very appealing to other clubs as well.

3. Mariners could trade for Reds 2B Jonathan India

Will Jerry Dipoto pick up the phone and give Nick Krall a call? He's done it before. The Cincinnati Reds and Seattle Mariners have been frequent trade partners in recent years, and Dipoto has been on the losing side to this point.

The Reds have stockpiled an enormous amount of young talent, inclduing Brandon Williamson, Connor Phillips, Noelvi Marte, Edwin Arroyo, Levi Stoudt, and Jake Fraley. The only thing the Mariners have to show for their past dealings is Luis Castillo, who's a fine pitcher in his own right.

The Mariners, however, have centered their offseason on collecting contact bats. The M's already parted company with former Cincinnati Reds slugger Eugenio Suárez and dealt outfielder Jarred Kelenic as well.

Jonathan India to the Seattle Mariners makes perfect sense. Kolten Wong isn't in the Emerald City anymore, and India fits the mold of that right-handed hitting infielder Seattle is seeking. The Mariners also have an excess of young pitching talent; which is something that the Reds front office is craving.

If the Cincinnati Reds intend to trade India this offseason, there may not be a more likely destination than Seattle. Perhaps the Reds and Mariners could work out a one-for-one swap that would send India to Seattle and right-hander Emerson Hancock to Cincinnati.

There are certainly other ball clubs that may be giving Nick Krall a ring this offseason, but it's a good bet that the Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, and Seattle Mariners have called more than once.

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