Breaking: Giants Are Closing In On Deal To Sign $21 Million Rookie of the Year

The San Francisco Giants signed Matt Chapman, a well-known free agent, to strengthen their infield. A trade throughout the season might provide the club with additional infield security, particularly at second base. Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer reports that the Giants may be interested in signing Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India.

Chapman signed a three-year, $54 million contract with the Giants on March 3. Chapman will be able to opt out after the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Despite Chapman’s presence in San Francisco, the Giants may continue to search for a quality infielder.

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India’s Trade Market

It was speculated that India would be traded before the start of the 2024 season. India played 119 games for the Reds in 2023.

“The Cincinnati Reds are expected to non-tender Nick Senzel and trade Jonathan India this winter, while strongly pursuing a veteran starter like Michael Wacha or Wade Miley,” said Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY on November 12.

India hit.244/.388/.407 last season, but is among Cincinnati’s several young infielders.

Cincinnati is hinting to other teams that India is the odd man out, since they already have enough infielders to cover four places (Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Spencer Steer, Noelvi Marte, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand).” ESPN’s Jeff Passan noted on November 14 that other teams expect India will relocate sooner rather than later.

India is under club control until 2026, which only increases his worth in any transaction. However, if they are in contention, the Reds may be less likely to move India.

“They went 82-80 in 2023 even as a deeply flawed team, and now they’re better equipped on both the offensive and pitching sides,” wrote Rymer. “Yet the Reds still only have a 28.4 percent chance of making the playoffs. And if that’s how things play out, teams are bound to call about India again.”

India’s Fit on the Giants

When India won National League Rookie of the Year in 2021 he slashed .269/.376/.459 in 150 games.

“His stock is not what it was after he won the National League Rookie of the Year in 2021, but the trappings of a good hitter have never not been there,” Rymer said. “Notably, he finished 2023 with better-than-average marks for his strikeout and walk rates and exit velocity.”

Thairo Estrada, the Giants’ current second baseman, has been a steady contributor to the club. Estrada joined the Giants in 2021 and achieved an OPS+ of above 100 each season. He has a.260 career batting average but is off to a rough start in 2024. In six games to begin the season, he is hitting.174 with six strikeouts.

Estrada had a strong spring, hitting.306 in Cactus League games. India batted.393 in the spring and is off to a great start in the regular season. He’s 5-20 on the year, with four walks.

The Giants signed Jorge Soler to a three-year, $42 million contract this summer. As the team’s designated hitter, Soler handles cleanup duties.

With Soler at DH and Estrada at second base, India’s position in the lineup would be uncertain. It would be difficult to keep his bat out of the lineup if a trade were made.