Jonathan India was a Cincinnati Red to his core. And now Reds fans will have to watch him play for the Kansas City Royals next season. On Friday the team agreed to trade their longtime second baseman to the Royals along with outfielder Joey Wiemer in return for right hander Brady Singer. It’s likely to lead to a host of complicated emotions for anyone who follows this team.
India was selected fifth overall by the Reds in the 2018 MLB draft. He broke into the big leagues in 2021 for Cincinnati and eventually captured Rookie of the Year honors after he hit .269 with 21 home runs and 69 RBIs. There was a lot of promise after that year but India failed to capitalize on the momentum of his amazing rookie campaign. He sufferered a series of injuries and his struggles lead many to call for him to be traded prior to the 2024 season.
In the end, though, India’s 2024 season proved to be one of the most pleasant surprises in that was otherwise a dismal year for the Reds. He hit .248 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs. India stepped in to play the majority of the season to fill in for an injured Matt McLain. His contributions to the 2024 edition of the Reds deserve a great deal of credit.
But the fact is that the Reds have a logjam at the infield positions. With McLain coming back and India having such a bounce back season, his trade value might not ever be higher. One could argue that it was the right time for the Reds to pull the trigger. The question remains as to what they got in return for their veteran second baseman?
According the Enquirer, “Singer, 28, went 9-13 with a 3.71 ERA in 32 starts (179 2/3 innings) for the Royals last season. The Royals’ 18th overall pick in the 2018 draft is 36-44 with a 4.28 ERA in his career.” Singer’s fit in Cincinnati is yet to be determined but his ability to pitch solid innings and post a decent ERA looks promising at first blush.
Jonathan India was a fan favorite and will surely be missed. But the hope is that Brady Singer was worth the price and that he adds more depth and pop to a very good Reds rotation that also recently retained Nick Martinez. I am sure all Reds wish Jonathan India the best, and will remember all the good times he gave us in Cincinnati.
