The Blue Jays are considering Jonathan India.
With Matt Chapman and Whit Merrifield both available as free agents, the Jays lack depth at second and third base. The big league roster includes in-house possibilities Cavan Biggio, Espinal, Davis Schneider, and Ernie Clement. Any of Adams Barger, Elvis Martinez, or Leo Jimenez might make their Major League debut in 2024 and establish themselves as infield contenders.
Toronto has no shortage of alternatives when it comes to volume, but there isn’t much in the way of Major League experience. While Schneider and Clement both hit very well in tiny sample sizes in 2023, Biggio and Espinal have been erratic over their big league careers, and the other players have no track record in the major leagues at all (though Martinez and Barger are highly regarded prospects).
India might be able to help at second base, although the player who won the NL Rookie of the Year two seasons ago isn’t exactly a lock. India has hit.246/.333/.394 with 27 home runs in 960 plate appearances for Cincinnati since winning the ROY in 2021; however, his ability to stay on the field has been hampered by hamstring and plantar fasciitis. India’s glovework has also left the public quite displeased with defensive stats, therefore his contributions as a second baseman in particular may be limited.
India only turned 27 two days ago, and it’s only the first of three years that India is eligible for arbitration; even with these considerations, Cincinnati wouldn’t typically be willing to deal such a controlled talent. Furthermore, since president of baseball operations Nick Krall has said that the team isn’t “motivated” to transfer India anywhere, the Reds aren’t officially open to a transaction. In Cincinnati, the issue of major league experience also matters because, although the Reds have an abundance of young infielders who are ready for more MLB experience, Krall also appreciates the depth and stability India provides in case of injuries or if some of the young players require additional minor league experience.
Nevertheless, Jeimer Candelario’s signing by the Reds merely increased the excess infield. With Candelario now logging consistent time at third base, Matt McLain, Nelson Marte, Elly De La Cruz, and India will all be vying for middle infield positions. Christian Encarnacion-Strand also needs a spot to play, even if Candelario goes over to first base. The DH position gives the Reds a few extra at-bats to balance all these choices.
Additionally, the fit wouldn’t be ideal in Toronto. As mentioned, the keystone is a superior defensive position for the majority of the Blue Jays’ in-house possibilities, and India would be a defensive downgrade at second base. While the Jays intend to compete in 2024, MLBTR’s Nick Deeds noted last month that they might not want to completely deny Schneider or Clement access to at least semi-regular playing time. Though pitching is the Reds’ biggest need, a hypothetical trade package with India may see the Jays send one of their most seasoned infielders Biggio or Espinal, for example back to Cincinnati to give the Reds some of the depth they so desperately need.
The Blue Jays’ pursuit of Shohei Ohtani has hindered their business in certain ways, so the winter has been quiet in Toronto in terms of real deals, if not headlines. The two infield spots, left field, DH, and possibly the rotation and bullpen are still on the Jays’ to-do list after the team lost to the Dodgers in the Ohtani race. Of course, GM Ross Atkins and his front office weren’t solely focused on Ohtani during the first six weeks of the offseason.