Should the Miami Marlins make this big trade?
The Miami Marlins need some help. Snapping the eight game losing streak yesterday was a huge deal. However, the schedule isn't easy and The Fish need to do whatever it takes to get better at the Trade Deadline. There's already a third base trade target and there should be an attempt to make a big splash. There's now another option... Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India.
The Miami Marlins can target Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India.
The Cincinnati Reds are looking to trade Jonathan India for controllable starting pitching. It makes sense due to their influx of young middle infielders. What do they want in return? They're looking for controllable starting pitching. The Miami Marlins have the pitching, but is there a need for India?
The Miami Marlins already have a great second baseman in Luis Arraez. A case could be made that moving him to first base would improve the team's defense. This of course means moving upcoming free agent Garrett Cooper to the bench. Losing Cooper's bat may not be that good of an idea. He's currently batting .262/.302/.431, which isn't much different from India's .251/.338/.411 batting line. It is however a better line, so while long-term it makes sense, that is not the case for just this season.
Jonathan India by the way also has 14 home runs and 51 RBI, with 12 stolen bases. The Miami Marlins can't move Cooper to DH, with Jorge Soler already there. Of course Soler can be moved to the OF, but he's a really bad defender and the OF is kind of full as well. Jazz Chisholm Jr., Bryan De La Cruz and Jesus Sanchez are the current OF. Avisail Garcia is supposed to start instead of Sanchez when he's healthy. Does benching Avi and Sanchez in favor of Soler work to fit in India?
The defensive hit is probably too much to make it worth it, but suppose The Fish do this? India at second base, Arraez at first base, Cooper at DH and Soler in right field. What would India cost? The Miami Marlins would have to trade Edward Cabrera or Braxton Garrett, though I'm not sure that Cincinnati takes that offer.
Overall, Jonathan India is just an awkward fit for the Miami Marlins at this point. Cincinnati might also want more than what The Fish can realistically give them.