The New York Yankees might consider the Cincinnati Reds’ infielder, Jonathan India, as a potential trade target. With their infield currently struggling—DJ LeMahieu, Gleyber Torres, and Anthony Rizzo all underperforming—India could be a valuable addition. The 2021 NL Rookie of the Year is having an impressive season, boasting a .275/.379/.422 slash line, 21 doubles, 8 home runs, and a 124 wRC+ over 92 games. This marks a significant improvement from his previous two seasons, where his stats were more modest.
India’s success can be attributed to improved plate discipline, as evidenced by his 17% chase rate (100th percentile) and 12.9% walk rate (95th percentile). However, his .332 BABIP suggests some of his performance might be luck-based, and his average exit velocity, barrel rate, and hard-hit rate remain below league average. Defensively, the metrics are mixed: Defensive Runs Saved has him costing the Reds seven runs, while Outs Above Average credits him with saving two.
Despite being only 27 and in his fourth season, India is seen as a team leader. Teammate Will Benson praises his leadership qualities, highlighting his influence on the team’s morale and effort. With the Reds in the Wild Card race but dealing with a crowded infield, India has frequently been mentioned as a trade candidate, a prospect he acknowledges.
For the Yankees, India could be a solution to their infield problems, though he primarily plays second base, potentially replacing Torres. Despite his higher performance level in 2024 and two more years of club control compared to Torres, acquiring India would still leave positional challenges. The Yankees would ideally need a player with third base experience to maximize their infield flexibility. While acquiring both a second and third baseman is an option, the Yankees might focus on one, making India a viable contingency plan if other options don’t pan out.
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