The Cincinnati Reds have talked with the Boston Red Sox about a trade of Jonathan India. Jim Bowden of The Athletic reported that Boston is looking for a second baseman and have spoken with the Reds as well as the Yankees about potential options.
With four infield spots, plus the designated hitter spot, Cincinnati still seems like they may have too many players for spots to play. Christian Encarnacion-Strand seems to have first base locked down after the team declined the 202 option on Joey Votto. That leaves second base, third base, and shortstop out there for Jonathan India, Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, and Noelvi Marte. Even if we account for someone being the designated hitter, that’s still not enough spots. With Steer having some time in left field it does create some wiggle room, but with Jake Fraley, TJ Friedl, and Will Benson all proving they deserve to play every day (at least when a right-handed pitcher is on the mound), the wiggle room is tiny and still doesn’t create enough spots on most days.
Jonathan India has been the name that teams have seemingly been asking about. There could be plenty of reasons for that – he’s more established than the others being one of them. But another one could be that unlike the rest of the group, he’s arbitration eligible now and will be making more than the league minimum and likely make about as much money as the others make combined in 2024. Cincinnati, which currently has one of the lowest payrolls for 2024 in all of baseball, doesn’t need to be lowering payroll, but when you’ve got a reputation for not being a big spender and have one player in a crowded group who makes a lot more money than the others do…..
Nick Krall, Reds President of Baseball Operations, noted this past week that the team wasn’t motivated to move Jonathan India in a trade. With plenty of planning ahead, the Reds could get just about every one of their “every day” players about five games a week. And the bench would be stronger by having one or two of the guys not starting that day on it. The question becomes whether that’s more valuable to the club, or making a trade to acquire someone who would provide value in another area.
Boston needs pitching, which is why they are trying to unload Verdugo. We need pitching that Boston doesn’t have. The Leatherman is a dollar short and a day late with this story. Sorry Jimbo.
Agree. Seems like a non story. JI must have a lot of value. It seems a lot of teams are interested in him.
India for Verdugo – 3 years for 1 year. India has more value while Verdugo costs more, so Sox throw in prospects and/or cash.
Still – 99% rumor.
I hope not. I don’t want to bring in an outfielder unless it’s a clear upgrade over what we have in the outfield. Verdugo is not that.
He certainly is an upgrade. No platoon needed, his peak career year, years of proven performance. Borderline All-star perhaps, but in no way a downgrade.
Verdugo is also roughly the same age as the existing Reds OFers, and has about as many career ABs as they all do combined. Clearly a productive MLB player. Now, I’d prefer a power hitting OFer, but he certainly fills some of the need.
Who care if Verdugo is entering his prime years if he’s not that good of a hitter. He’s had two subpar years in a row. His only really good year was 2019. He also only has one year remaining on his contract.
Benson, Friedl, Steer, and even Fraley all had better OPS last year and under team control for multiple years.
Again, I’m all for a new outfielder, but only a clear upgrade.
Verdugo is not a better version of Benson or Fraley. Career OPS .665 vs LHP so still needs to either be platooned, or accept his dismal production vs LHP.
He’s redundant and doesn’t really improve the roster.
If that’s the solution, just keep India. But I do expect a better trade than that for India.
A trade build around India (to Red Sox), Verdugo (to Guardians), and Bieber (to Reds) could work for all sides.
In the same article, he suggested the Mariners send Miller or Woo to the Reds for India.
Would not want Bieber,
With the elbow problems he had last year, TJ may be just around the corner.
I would say NO to that one.
Couldn’t we make that argument for any pitcher? I’m not sure how predictable UCL injuries are.
Imaginative, but be wary of hitter for pitcher trades, and vice-versa. Safer to trade like for like. Add some pieces and you get that.
Remember Robinson for Pappas.
I’d be all over that 3 way trade. It seems like a win, win, win. Sure there is an injury risk with Bieber, but there an injury risk with India.
“But another one could be that unlike the rest of the group, he’s arbitration eligible now and will be making more than the league minimum and likely make about as much money as the others make combined in 2024. Cincinnati, which currently has one of the lowest payrolls for 2024 in all of baseball, doesn’t need to be lowering payroll, but when you’ve got a reputation for not being a big spender and have one player in a crowded group who makes a lot more money than the others do…..”
Thanks Doug. There used to baseball writers who were independent and spoke the truth. Hal McCoy comes to mind. Now, most “baseball writers” just take dictation and print the team’s propaganda. Your writing is a breath of fresh air and I am glad you are covering the Reds.
I agree with this to a point. Doug isn’t a “Homer” for the team, but he is a bit of a “Homer” against the team’s plans financially. I think it’s a bit unfair to say this team is cheap or is known for having low payrolls, etc. The fact is this team raised it’s payroll up to I believe around $150mil and got snake-bitten for it, both by not making it past the 1st round of the playoffs, and Covid hit at the same time, which killed them. The fact is, this looks like the best Reds team coming up since 2012, and they have done it through drafts and trades while leaving lots of flexibility and long-term possibilities by having a low payroll. It’s not a coincidence that this looks to be the most exciting team coupled with their lowest payroll. Maybe their philosophy will work.
Doug is completely independent of the Reds. Maybe he’s a “Homer” in the sense that he’s a Reds fan, but he has strong positive and negative opinions and shares them on this site often (which is a great thing).
Jim Day is a “Homer” in your scenario. But he’s super positive and fun to watch. You need both in baseball – fans like Day who’s there to support the team no matter what AND fans like Doug who support the team but will always call them out when needed.
The Reds have not ranked higher than 12th in payroll since this millennium began. Only twice have they been ranked higher than 15th (2012 and 2013 when they were 12th and 13th).
You can say what you want – they don’t spend a lot of money and they haven’t done so by comparison to the league in my adult lifetime, and I’ll be 40 during the second week of the season next year.
I wasn’t talking about Jim Day. He is a Red’s employee, I do t expect him, Jeff Brantley or Chris Welsh etc. to bash the man who sign their checks. Well I guess Marty did that to some extent but he is a rare exception.
I am talking about writers who earn their income from an organization other than the Reds, yet still seem to toe the party line.
It used to be common for Sports writers from The Cincinnati Enquirer or local TV Sports to call out the Reds’ ownership or the front office. Now all they do is spin it the way Bob Castellini wants it spun.
I will say it again. We are very lucky to have Doug.
IMO India will only be traded as part of a package to bring back significant player(s). Reds value India too much as Krall has mentioned and will not trade just because of position overflow. It’s important to have depth as injuries happen (and a lot to the Reds). I am not sure how much need the Red Sox have for a 2B but does not seem to be many 2B being shopped or available right now so Reds might get a decent overpay which is what the Reds would be looking for. Just spitballing, but one Red Sox player I saw was Josh Winckowski. A RP 25 yr old Toledo Ohio native record of 4-4, 2.88 ERA, one game started and three saves. Sounds like a hybrid type that Krall seems to be interested in.
This is off subject a bit, but am I the only one concerned about the Reds not adding a potential ace or 1 or 2 level starter this offseason? I know they are either dollars costly or talent costly (trades), but it is still important to have some studs/aces in the deck for the postseason. Does Krall see Greene as the ace of the staff? Greene hasn’t even shown consitency yet as a major leaguer. This concept of a 6 man rotation or whatnot does not work in the postseason.
If they are trading with Boston or whomever, what is India worth? Would a team be willing to give up a 1 or 2 for India and Arroyo? Maybe India and two top 20s? If they are infielder types, would you make the trade?
At this very early point in the offseason, we have no idea who they are targeting, talking to and/or are negotiating with. let’s wait a few more days/weeks before worry sets in. No #1 is going to sign too early, nor would I, let the vest off win. Aaron Nola is an exception because he obviously wanted to stay in Philly.
No Jason, you are not the only one concerned. I would be absolutely shocked if the Reds acquired an Ace. Now, they may sign a pitcher who would be a #2 (eg. Wacha) in the Reds rotation, but I would be quite surprised if they sign a pitcher who would be considered a number one or two pitcher on a good team. On second thought, I doubt they will sign a pitcher who would even be a #2 on the Reds.
A few weeks ago, when some were predicting a Red’s payroll of $120,000,000, I said I expected it
To be $70 to $75 million dollars. I think now,
I vastly overestimated what the Reds will spend. I now think the 2024 Reds’ payroll will be closer to $60 million dollars and even that may be optimistic.
I think the 2024 roster will be very similar to last year’s roster without Votto, Senzel, India and perhaps a couple more. I don’t except any significant additions.
I feel like it’s gotta be at least 80 million, which by the way is less than last year still. I am hopeful for a 90 million payroll, but I too am seriously starting to doubt this team gets a legitimate #1 or #2 SP.
I am still shocked by the Cardinals two signings for SP. I thought the would be going for bigger names.
The minimum 2024 payroll including expected arbitration increases and I think including old contracts still paid like Griffey, Votto and Wil Myers, is 47M as I recall. I see no reason to aim for more characteristic Reds payroll, 80M or 90M, and certainly no reason to aim higher than that. How would they even reach that? Shohie Ohtani on a front-loaded contract? Dylan Cease would add like 6M to payroll. I don’t know all the others. But there are enough low cost players the Reds are committed to it would be hard to figure out how to fit 100M worth of contracts into the roster. Four starting pitchers maybe? And none of them still in arbitration. I will say way to go when they field a 50M team that is about as good or better than 2023 team. The difference in extra payroll between then and right now was mostly not so productive players. Not only that but there was and still are other Reds to play those positions.
@Jayce, so if you’re shooting for a 50 million payroll the club essentially signs almost nobody, and trades for nobody with any significant form of payroll. I think your undercutting the payroll they will have. I don’t expect them to fork out 100 million, but I imagine that at least 20 to 40 million will be spent. The team needs an improvement in the OF, SP, and probably at least 2 good relievers.
I don’t expect any superstar players to sign as Free agents oh and they have already said they are considering multiyear deals for some of the young players we have.
Trades alone could raise payroll depending who is coming back on the other side.
Krall, if he’s doing his job, has to consider not only this year’s payroll but future payrolls that hopefully includes some extensions for those rookies we want to hang onto longer term. Meaning, any ‘sign’ might have to be short-term.
It’s waaaay too early in the offseason to draw any conclusions. There has been only one major signing — that of Aaron Nola going back to the Phillies, which is what everybody expected. The Cardinals signed Loretta Lynn (77 ERA+ last year, with 44 not-a-typo HRs allowed) and Kyle Gibson (87 ERA+). Loretta and Kyle are both 36 years old.
That means that the Reds are one of 28 teams that has not made a notable free agent signing yet.
🙂
Last year he pitched much more like Loretta than Lance. LOL.
LOL
Let’s hope he does it again
Winkowski was a successful bullpen piece for the Red Sox last year. But he is more a long reliever and spot starter. Bell likes the strategy of using pitcher for one inning an outing but Winkowski make sense for the Reds. With the injuries they have every year (has there been a year where Lodolo, Greene, Ashcraft have not spent significant time on the IR?) WInkowski could help the bullpen and move into a starter role when the injuries happen. And they will. Maybe the Reds can get WInkowski and a propect or two….
Agreed Moon. Pretty much my thoughts but of course the possibilities are dizzying about who is going to end up where this off season.
It’s a good plan, until Bell uses him for 7 pitches to finish an inning, then pulls him to start the next inning…Then has fatigue at the end of the year from pitching/warming up so many consecutive days instead of pitching 2-3 innings every 2-3 days.
When the Sox traded Urias, I suspected that a possible India deal was in the works. Verdugo would be an okay add, but they Reds should ask for more. Signing someone like Soler, whose L/R splits are nearly the same, would probably be better. That would give them an everyday player. Personally, I’d like to see the Reds move on from Fraley. He’s strictly a platoon player with a career 100+ variance in his L/R splits. Verdugo is a career .290 against RH and a .259 hitter against LH’ers. That’s substantially better than Fraley. Friedl & Benson should get another shot, including against LH’ers. Fraley? That die is cast. Move on.
I would love to have an everyday player that’s an upgrade over Fraley. Verdugo isn’t it. Soler maybe yes. But Fraley is far from our biggest weakness on this team. I want help with the starting rotation and then bullpen. If there’s enough money left after that, then let’s look at the outfield. With Steer in the mix, our starting four outfielders are pretty solid as is.
I like Verdugo. He was an impressive Dodger prospect a few seasons ago. Not sure what he did to tweak the Red Sox mgt. He is a good hitter, not great power but some. Fraley can get you 20 plus homers but I think the Reds can get along just fine if he is the odd man out. Verdugo and a good prospect for India would be a good deal for the Reds.
Allegiantly Verdugo was sometimes late for meetings, and his work ethic wasn’t as strong as the red sox wanted. If this is true, I don’t want him as a model for the young guys. I would prefer to keep India.
Man, I guess I’m in the minority. Before injury, Fraley was on pace last year to challenge for a 30/30 season as a platoon(!) player. If he improves even a little against lefties or works on his OF defense, he’s a valuable add IMO. While I understand and agree with the idea that 3 solid non-platoon outfielders beats having a platoon, I consider Fraley high enough upside to be keeping. Unless he’s part of the *big move*, of course.
@ LDS – The great thing about platoons is that you don’t have to play Jake against lefties. So let’s call it 25% of the time. So you have a great hitter 75% of the time.
If we trade India, I really like the idea of signing Amed Rosario. He could back up SS, and CF. That would let McLain stay at 2B, and Marte at 3B when EDLC gets his days off. Plus we don’t have a back up CF, so it would kill two birds with one stone. Steer could continue to back up 2B, 3B, and LF.
Don’t forget, we already have Barrero to backup both SS and CF. He no longer has minor league options, and personally I think he could be a solid bench player for us (and making league minimum the next three years.
All fair points, but Rosario has hit on the MLB level. However your scenario is by far the most likely.
How is a .200 hitter who K’s 35% of the time a solid bench player? Barrero is as good as gone, and if not, that’s a HUGE mistake.
He’s a good bench guy because:
1) he plays average to above average defense and two key positions – SS and CF
2) he’s young and has a lot of offensive potential based on minor league stats
3) we have him for the next six years at a very reasonable cost if he shows he’s a quality major-leaguer
4) if we’re wrong about him, we can dump him at anytime with no cost to the Reds
I agree about Barrero.
I wouldn’t count on anything yet with Barrero other than his defense. If he could hit .240, I’d consider him an ok bench option. So far, the kid has not had much to show for offense at all.
We do have a backup CF, Fairchild. Can we find a better one? Perhaps, but there are higher priorities as of today. Barrero will have to earn his spot in ST–he’s on the bubble at best right now. Fairchild is a solid MLB backup.
Fairchild is a AAAA player, as is Barrero, as was Senzel. If signing a $6M player keeps us from adding the pitching we need then we’re in trouble. Hopefully Krall can CEE gum, and walk at the same time.
@MBS, you know how much I enjoy your comments, but show me the good teams with five outfielders better than Fairchild. He was ten percent below league average as a hitter last year (5 percent below league average for his career). He can play all three outfield spots well (defense and arm) and has plus speed. Please explain (with supporting data) why he doesn’t profile as a big league bench player (or starter on a weaker team).
As a 5th? That might be hard. Most 5ths don’t get enough AB’s to excel.. Really I want a big bat that displaces one of the top 3. Then use Rosario and Steer as INF/OF combos. The entire OF would be covered, as would the entire INF.
Hinds and Hurtubise could make for a battle in ST.
@MBS, Fairchild outperformed Rosario in 2023. He hasn’t played CF since 2021, and has limited experience there. Fangraphs rated Fairchild ahead of Rosario in every category except position value (Rosario can play SS which has higher value than any OF position).
Interesting discussion about Fairchild. I agree he is a AAAA player. OTOH, the last 3-4 players on the 26-man are typically AAAA types – 5th OFer, Utility IFer, 2 pitchers. The issue is whether those 4 players are better than other the teams’ players, and whether they contribute wins in their limited roles.
By those criteria Fairchild is better, as BK explains. Very good defense, very useful, if limited offensive tools.
What could change, and should change if the Reds move into serious contention, is to use those spots for future, full-time regulars. They tried that with Barrero, but he’s not there. They may try it with Hinds/Dunn – don’t know if Hurtubise can get there.
They’ve really faltered trying that with the pitching staff – other teams bring future starters along by introducing them into the bullpen. or have much deeper bullpens with only the last spot used as an optionable exchange slot. We all know the past few years of the Reds staff and its turnover – not good.
@Optimist, I agree that Dunn and Hinds are good candidates to push for 26- man roster spots in 2024. I don’t disagree that our last two bench spots could be improved, but improving the pitching staff is the priority.
I’ve come around on keeping India.
The India stories reflect that a lot of teams are looking for a second baseman, so they all pick up the phone and ask about India. They do that because, like all of us, they understand that the Reds had a very promising rookie starter at the end of last season at every IF position.
That other teams have inquired about India does not mean that the Reds are shopping him, or even “in trade talks” about India. It means that the Red Sox called and said “Hey, what do you want for India?”
A trade is certainly possible, but I lean toward believing that they will not trade him, especially if he is willing to play a Ben Zobrist-like utility role. India will never be a gold-glover at any position, but I think he could play plausible short-term defense at any position other than SS or CF (or catcher). With a DH, the Reds may well have 400 PAs for India next season.
India is essentially an average MLB player, with an OPS+ last season of exactly 100. But an average MLB player is a valuable commodity, and he isn’t in line for some big arbitration award that would be out of line with his expected performance. Plus, he ended the season fairly healthy and will have time to get his PF issue behind him. He may very well be in line for a power surge this season.
That looks better than anything the Red Sox can offer for him. No thanks on Verdugo, who slashed .220/.311/.298 last season against LH pitchers, and is slower than Fraley. Fraley can’t hit lefties, but Verdugo (also a 100 OPS+) really can’t, either.
I agree, there seems to be ample demand for India, so the return should be solid or the Reds should pass. For all the reasons you noted, Verdugo would be a poor fit for the Reds. I’m also not impressed with any starter they may be willing to part with. Other teams have better fits for the Reds.
Agree that the starting bias is to keep India. That said, as much as I like him, lots of folks over value him. Lots of folks also undervalue other teams potential offerings (cf. Verdugo, Alex).
What’s interesting is that India is an average, at best, defender at an unimportant defensive spot, and though offensively versatile hasn’t matched the completeness of his rookie season. He does have the 3 years of control.
Still, a few teams have gaping holes at 2b and may make a silly offer for him, in which case the Reds have the advantage of playing up to the highest bidder. It may happen, but again, fine if it doesn’t.
They continue to need a good/very good starter, a power hitting non-platoon OFer, and relief pitching.
This was one of the targets I thought would materialize. Houck and/or Pivetta. Verdugo would make our 50th left-handed hitting OF – zero need.
How about bolstering our pipeline at catcher? The Stephenson/Maile tandem is the weakest link in our lineup. Would like to see a rookie push them in a couple of years.
Kyle Teel is the Red Sox #4 prospect and looks like a good one.
Hard to believe India alone would get Teel. If so, take it.
Happy to sweeten the deal a bit with a lower-level prospect. Or Barrero if they want him.
This is what I would do if I were GM. If you can get a great prospect at catcher, 1st, or outfielder…when you have an apparent surplus of quality infielders…do it. That said, any decision about moving India probably will have more to do with what the Reds think India wants as a player. If they suspect he wants to start at second regularly, that may sway the Reds commitment to keep him perhaps.
Quick question, Doug…
Wondering why my comment(s), when the ‘awaiting moderation’ notification is shown, do not post?
Nothing crude or inappropriate in the content I’m attempting to convey.
?
You used a banned word.
Please let me know what word (obviously by using asterisks) so I can be sure that I don’t make the mistake again, sir.
There’s a player who used to play for the Reds who shant be discussed on here.
Motorboat Jones, no doubt.
Completely understandable.
Let’s try again, if I may-
There’s been recent history proving having a stable of high quality, stud pitchers (Castillo, Gray, .…Antone, Sims) won’t guarantee success when the bright lights and cool nights bring the unique excitement and energy of playoff baseball.
What we need to consider is spending the capital on players who have proven consistently with high:
BA/RISP
BA/HL (high leverage situations)
wRC/RISP
wRC/HL
don’t disagree. We had some terrible offensive teams during Castillo’s time with us. But once you have those stud pitchers – its really hard to recreate them. It would have been nice to have kept Castillo. Unless Marte and Arroyo turn out to be fabulous, we lost that trade.
And can you imagine last year if we had kept Gray. And now we can’t attract him because his $ number will be too high. We need two starting pitchers at a minimum.
Cardinals are going the quantity over quality route. Gibson is a good innings eater. Will be interesting to see next year whether the quantity or quality strategy yields more wins.
can someone please explain the support stuart fairchild gets here? can anyone name one big hit he had, just one big game where he made a difference with his bat, glove, legs, dugout taunts, big bubble gum bubbles blown, anything? there has to someone better to fill his roster spot.
@Tim, I’ll take a crack at this one. First of all, if highlights (your criteria) were important, Aristides Aquino would have been offered by a Major League team, but alas, he’s playing in Japan.
So, let me flip this back to you since you raised the question. Can you list playoff teams with four outfielders better than Fairchild? He was ten percent below league average as a hitter last year (5 percent below league average for his career). He can play all three outfield spots well (defense and arm) and has plus speed. Please explain (with supporting data, not anecdotes) why you don’t think he’s a legit MLB player.
By definition, every MLB outfielder is not above average. I suggest he’s a quality bench player … even on a good team. On the Reds roster, as it is today, he’s the fifth outfielder behind Friedl, Steer, Fraley, and Benson. His RH bat, narrow splits, speed, and defensive versatility complement the better players nicely.
Well said BK.
Fairchild is 27. His best years are here. He might not be here long term but he certainly is more than adequate and — very importantly — well suited to his role. Every club requires depth. Depth does not necessarily equate to rookies struggling to figure things out, as most rookies not named Julio do. Quality depth requires professional fielders, professional base runners and professional hitters. For what it’s worth, I have not equated AAAA players with 27 year olds entering their prime. To me, they are more like Henry Ramos at age 32.
+100. Really solid 4th OF’er, who complements the other guys well. Good stuff.
” With plenty of planning ahead, the Reds could get just about every one of their “every day” players about five games a week. And the bench would be stronger by having one or two of the guys not starting that day on it”
That would work until some of the other young guys get up to the big show and need to play most every day.
That isn’t going to happen this year. Edwin Arroyo is 20 and isn’t close to Major League ready, and no other legitimate infielder prospect is above A-ball. We can worry about that next off-season.
Maybe but not so sure.
Remind me of the last time the Reds had too many good and healthy players?
If I’m trading with the Red Sox, I’m inquiring about Tanner Houck. High GB rate, very good slider, introduced a cutter this year graded above avg – fangraphs, only threw it 10%, room to grow with that pitch. Possible swing man if needed in that role. 4 more years controlled.
Red Sox will replace Houck with some other FA SP so no sweat off their back.
Looking at his Statcast page, he would have given up 34 HRs if pitching in GABP. His hard-hit rate isn’t good even though his ground ball rates are superb. I’m guessing those HR may scare off the Reds.
https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/tanner-houck-656557?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb
I’ll say it again. Boston has zero pitching they are able to or willing to offer.
Leather pants is in la la land.
Jim Bowden is on A LOT of people’s untrustworthy list.
Jim Bowden is a fool. I don’t understand why his work even gets published or, for that matter, quoted.
@BK, 17 not 34 in GABP. I think you are looking at wrong line (all year summary line). He was exactly middling, 63 out of 127 in MLB for HR/9 last year (100 IP min). For a pitcher with a dynamic slider, high GB rate, and untapped upside, I don’t see this scaring the Reds at all.
Even if the Reds want Houck, India is not enough (per baseball trade values).
Not sure the BoSox want to trade pitching, but an interesting concept.
I think Bowden, as a former GM, feels he has the inside track as to what the Red’s organization might or might not do.
It has been many years, he still may have some contacts, but does not know much anymore.
All just interesting chatter until an actual trade is announced. I think we understand our ultimate targets are pitchers and OF players that hit well from the right side. But it’s still all just fun speculation.
I’m fine with India in Red or some other uniform. I do believe the young core of pitchers will be better and less injury prone in 2024, but that’s just speculation as well.
Ain’t it fun to have conversations this intense in November? 😉
It has been many years, he still may have some contacts, but does not know much anymore.
India for Alek Manoah?
3 years for 3 years. Manoah obviously is a big question Mark but one year ago he was an All Star and top 3 in the Cy Young. Still just 25.
True, but he totally “bobsledded” last season — went downhill fast. There is no such thing as certainty with pitchers, but the Reds probably want more certainty that Manoah can offer right now.
Not sure how much certainty you can get with an average offensively defensively challenged injury prone player about to get a big raise.
Seattle just traded Suarez to Arizona , opening up Third Base. Maybe looking for a trade of India + for Logan Gilbert or…
Looking at RedSox system I would be willing to India and Petty for Ceddanna Rafaela CF and Wikelman Gonzalez SP. I think Rafaela could be the defensive CF the reds need. The Sox have a single A catcher named Brooks Brannon, if they would include him an RP Luis Guerrero I would be willing to part with Jay Allen.
A side note why does Fernando Cruz have a value of 23.3 on MLB trade simulator. Many of the Reds relievers seem to have an over inflated value but while I like Cruz his number seems crazy.
Steer and Petty for Matt Brash and Emerson Hancock. Steer replaces Suarez. Brash becomes super setup guy to Diaz. Who will just need to pitch one inning. Hancock bumps either Ashcraft or Williamson to the pen, thereby strengthening it.