Mariners trade proposal: Familiar name Jonathan India solves teams second base woes

This is the busiest time of year and one of the most exciting times of the year. We got the All-Star break that kicks off with the MLB Draft and just a couple of weeks later, we get the trade deadline. All of these players meet up in Texas and many of whom could be teammates in the near future.

As the Mariners are, yet again, at the center of some of the biggest trade rumors, this deadline should be quite a bit different than the 2023 trade deadline. Last year's trade season saw the Mariners sell off key bullpen arm, Paul Sewald, for a few controllable pieces that were still unproven. This year, the Mariners should be on the opposite side of the trade speculation; they should be looking to add offense in whatever way they can. They have all sorts of ways to do that. They could add a corner outfielder, or a first baseman, or even take yet another desperate Hail Mary at finally figuring out second base.

Mariners could call up the Reds to address their 2nd base problem

That brings us to our trade proposal today: Jonathan India. India was a name that was rumored to the Mariners quite a bit this offseason, even if some of the conversations for him were completely out of bounds (Miller or Woo for India...yeah, no thanks). But as we sit here in mid-July approaching the trade deadline, the Reds are four games back of the wild card and have yet to decide if they will be buyers or sellers, but with seven teams within 4.5 games of the final spot, they could look to retool for next year.

Jonathan India has been one of the better second basemen this year, but this has been the best season since his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2021. His high-contact approach with an above-average ability to control the zone makes him the perfect fit at second base for the Mariners. He would slot well at the top of the order, providing some stability and consistency to a lineup that desperately needs it.

India is slashing .275/.377/.420 with eight home runs and nine stolen bases. He has an innate ability to control the zone (12.7% walk rate and 19.7% strikeout rate contributing to his 123 wRC+, which ranks fourth among all qualified second baseman. He has never played any position but second base and isn't a great defender but grades out better than Jorge Polanco while providing more certainty.

With India, the Mariners also add a solid bullpen arm that is enjoying a really good season. Buck Farmer has just a 2.8 ERA and though he does it by limiting home runs and hits, he is still a really valuable bridge arm. He has a 7.8 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9; that and his ability to limit contact in a very hitter friendly park, could make him a nice upgrade over guys like Trent Thornton or Cody Bolton. He is just a rental and is 33 years old, so his inclusion shouldn't drive the price up too much.

India's resurgence and club control (arbitration eligible through 2026) make him a valuable asset, especially for a guy like Jerry Dipoto. In exchange, the Mariners send a solid back of the rotation arm, Emerson Hancock, and one of the club's top outfield prospects with a ton of upside, Jonatan Clase. Hancock could immediately slot into their rotation and give them some solid innings while being pre-arbitration eligible through 2026 before entering arbitration.

Clase has shown an elite ability to steal bases with some pop that could play up in Cincinnati. Their outfield seemed logjammed coming into 2024, but injuries and struggles have shown that they could use some reinforcements and Clase's abilities could fit perfectly at Great American Ball Park.