3 trade packages the Cincinnati Reds can offer the Chicago White Sox for Dylan Cease
By Todd Welter
The Chicago White Sox get their long-term starter at second base and young starting pitching in this proposal.
The White Sox previous front-office leadership were interested in India at the trade deadline. The Reds might be motivated to move India so they can open up a path to the big leagues for their top prospect, Noelvi Marte.
It would also require moving shortstop Matt McLain to second to open up shortstop.
India would provide a long-term starter at a position that has been a revolving door for the franchise for what seems like eternity.
He would bring some discipline to a free-swinging lineup as he has a career 24.8% outside zone swinging percentage. India finished as a 1.2 fWAR player in 2023.
The problem is he put up a wRC+ of 99. He might not fit Getz’ desire for fielding at second as he is a career -18.8 fWAR defensive player.
Although, India is under team control for three more seasons and is about to be 27.
Lowder is the Reds top pitching prospect. He is the No. 41 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline’s Top 100.
He was the Reds most recent first-round draft pick. That is why it would take a major bidding war for Cincinnati to already give up on a top pick.
Lowder featured one of the best changeups in college when he pitched at Wake Forest.
Hinds is the Reds tenth-best prospect. He has battled injuries during his minor league career.
When he is right, he can crush the baseball. Hinds belted 23 dingers last year at Double-A. He could be close to making his debut in the Majors.
Richardson is Cincinnati’s 14th-best prospect. He made four starts last season for the Reds, but he posted a 8.64 ERA and a 9.20 FIP. He cruised through Single-A and Double-A ball, but posted a high ERA in six starts at Triple-A. Although, that high number was because he had two bad outings.
Otherwise, he can throw gas on the mound with a fastball that can reach 98mph. That heat is coming off needing Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss all of 2022. He has the stuff to compete for a starting job or bullpen work in Spring Training.