Despite winning 88 games, the Seattle Mariners fell just short of reaching the postseason this year. Pitching wasn’t the problem. Scott Servais’ team led the American League with a 3.74 ERA for the entire staff. Yet, the bats didn’t always come to play, with the Mariners striking out 1,603 times, second-most in the AL.
One of the issues was at second base, where Seattle’s starters at the position combined for the third-lowest OPS in MLB. Kolten Wong was especially bad, hitting just .165 across 67 games, but there’s a reason he ended up on another team by season’s end.
Now, the Mariners must address their weakness at second base, but one MLB insider believes Seattle could find a solution from a familiar organization.
According to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi, the Cincinnati Reds are actively discussing trade possibilities for 2021 NL Rookie of the Year Jonathan India, and Morosi believes the Mariners would be a prime landing spot.
Jonathan India’s stats (2023): 17 HR, 61 RBI, 14 SB, .244/.338/.407/.746/ 100 OPS+
India, 26, is under team control until 2027, and the Reds may be ready to see what 2021 first-round pick Matt McLain can do instead. The rookie hit .290 with 16 home runs across 89 games for the Reds in 2023, with an OPS+ of 129, indicating he may very well be ready for a lot more plate appearances in his second season. Trading India would not only open up playing time for McLain but also help fill other organizational needs.
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