Could the White Sox find themselves with a new future infielder by the end of this deadline?
Rumors have been swirling in recent days about what exactly the Reds are planning to do at this deadline, though the plan certainly seems to include adding starting pitching. In his most recent article, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer wrote that sources of his in Chicago have confirmed the White Sox’s interest in second baseman Jonathan India.
This report doesn’t necessarily come out of nowhere. Last week, Jon Morosi wrote of the Reds’ interest in the White Sox’ starting pitchers, and yesterday, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand indicated that the Reds were at least open to considering moving India in a deal for controllable pitching.
India is a name that might be familiar to White Sox fans, as he was taken just after Nick Madrigal in the 2018 MLB Draft. India was drafted as a third baseman but moved to second base by the time he made it to the major leagues. The 26-year-old was the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year, and after a rough season in 2022, has bounced back a bit in 2023 – though still not to the levels he reached in 2021. In 100 games this season, India is hitting .251/.338/.411 with a 99 wRC+, 19.7% strikeout rate, and 8.8% walk rate. He has struggled defensively at second base his entire career, this season amassing -2 Outs Above Average (OAA) to go along with subpar arm strength.
Before White Sox fans get too worked up about the idea of acquiring India, Wittenmyer did indicate that Cincinnati’s talks about India fall “into the category of there’s no such thing as an untouchable player,” rather than the front office actually shopping the second baseman actively.
However, his name has come up certainly because a trade of India, in theory, makes a lot of sense for the Reds. With Elly de la Cruz, Matt McLain, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand already commanding a lot of playing time with players like Noelvi Marte not far behind, India could soon find himself on the outside looking in when it comes to playing time on the Reds’ roster. He is well-liked within the clubhouse, and with three years of control still remaining after this season, he certainly wouldn’t come cheap either. Because of this, it seems as though Lucas Giolito alone may not be enough for the White Sox to pursue this trade, nor would India alone be enough to pry Dylan Cease away from the White Sox. Could India be part of a larger package for Dylan Cease? Or could the White Sox package Giolito and Lance Lynn in order to acquire India?
With less than a week until the Trade Deadline, the rumors are only going to continue to heat up. Stay tuned for more updates as they become available!
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Featured Image: The Enquirer