Reds not 'motivated' to trade India despite interest
The Cincinnati Reds aren't rushing to trade second baseman Jonathan India despite multiple clubs reportedly showing interest in acquiring the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year.
"I look at India as a guy who fits here," Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said Friday, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "He does. And it’s not a perfect fit. When you look at a perfect roster, it says, OK, this player plays this position, this player plays this position, this player’s a bench player."
India is eligible for arbitration for the first time this offseason. The Reds recently discussed a trade involving the 26-year-old with three or four teams.
"I wouldn’t say we are motivated (to trade India)," Krall said. "If a deal comes around, we have to be open to anything. But just motivated to move players off your roster just because 'that guy might not fit (a specific spot).' That doesn’t make any sense."
The Reds are loaded with talented young infield players, including Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Spencer Steer, Noelvi Marte, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand.
India hit .244 with 17 home runs, 78 runs scored, 61 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases over 119 games for the Reds in 2023.