For one, India has had a season like this before, hitting .249/.327/.378 in 2022. That’s better than what he showed in 2025, but he bounced back enough from that to hit .244/.338/.407 the next year and .248/.357/.392 the year after that. So he’s bounced back from struggles. And there’s the fact that sometimes a player can struggle in a first year in a new location. The Royals traded for a guy who had a career .352 OBP and a .357 OBP the year before they got him. They will still need a leadoff hitter in 2026, though it would be tough to count on him again. I will say that I just don’t think it’s cut and dry.
That said, I’m exploring the trade market for India before the deadline. I don’t want to give him nearly eight figures for uncertainty. If I’m going to take a risk on someone for that kind of money, I’m going to take a risk on a profile that is more useful, like some power (that’ll come in the trade article). If I have to take ten cents on the dollar for him, fine. If there’s not a trade partner (there will be), I’m going to with the non-tender here.