Jonathan India is enjoying an excellent bounce-back campaign with the Reds after struggling from 2022-2023, and the Yankees could be a team that targets him ahead of the trade deadline. The right-handed hitting infielder would likely play second base, providing a high-OBP threat at the top of the order where the Yankees have struggled a ton this season. With a 121 wRC+ and 2.4 fWAR through 94 games, he’s a strong option for any team looking to upgrade this offense.
While the Cincinnati Reds aren’t completely sold on the idea of trading India, there’s some smoke there with Jorge Castilo of ESPN reporting yesterday that the Yankees have an interest in him. Jon Morosi of MLB Network also mentioned New York as a suitor alongside Seattle, so there could be a legitimate bid for him by Brian Cashman.
Yankees Showing Interest in Acquiring Jonathan India at the Deadline
The New York Yankees could desperately use help at the top of their lineup and Jonathan India provides that kind of presence immediately. With a stance change that has helped spark a second-half surge, the right-handed hitting infielder has become an incredible help for the Reds, who haven’t found their footing despite that.
His power numbers are surging and the contact rates have remained excellent as well, but the question here is whether the Yankees and Reds match up well in a deal. Cincinnati would be asking for outfield and pitching help, whereas the strengths of the farm system lie in their infield and catching depth right now.
Perhaps someone like Will Warren (who they’ve liked in the past) could be of interest to them, but I doubt that Everson Pereira is the needle-moving prospect for that team. They do have some players with high whiff rates and big-time power as the margin for error in a ballpark like Great American Ballpark where baseballs fly.
Still, his .374 OBP would be an excellent fit for New York, and I expect the Yankees to at least make a valiant effort at pursuing the 27-year-old considering he has two more years of control at a cheap rate after the 2024 season.