The Royals have made including an on-base hitter a high precedence this low season. In keeping with Ken Rosenthal and Reds beat author C. Trent Rosencrans of The Athletic, they could have a goal in Cincinnati infielder Jonathan India.
India, the Cincinnati Reds’ second baseman, is one among a number of hitters the Kansas Metropolis Royals are concentrating on, based on sources briefed on the staff’s discussions. And Singer, a right-handed beginning pitcher coming off one among his finest seasons, is drawing curiosity from the Reds and different groups searching for to deepen their rotations, the sources stated.
A commerce involving India and Singer was not shut on Saturday, and is only one of a number of prospects into account for each golf equipment. The Royals are also entertaining the thought of buying and selling a much less established pitcher equivalent to left-hander Kris Bubic or righty Alec Marsh for a youthful hitter.
India and Singer have been teammates on the College of Florida and have been every first spherical picks in 2018. India made his debut in 2021, a yr after Singer and gained Rookie of the Yr by hitting .269/.376/.459 with 21 house runs. He has persistently been a stable on-base hitter in his 4 seasons, drawing a career-high 80 walks this yr, tied for the fifth-most in all of baseball. His energy his diminished a bit from his rookie yr, however he nonetheless hit 15 house runs and 28 doubles, whereas hitting .248/.357/.392.
The 27-year-old has two years of membership management left, similar to Singer, and can earn $5 million subsequent season beneath his contract. With the Reds and Royals each seeking to contend subsequent yr, this commerce make sense as a pure baseball transfer. The Reds have a crowded infield subsequent yr with the return of Matt McLain, and will use extra pitching to pair with their younger hitters. The Royals had the worst offensive numbers from the leadoff spot out of any staff in baseball, and India may give them the table-setter they want in entrance of MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr.
India has solely performed second base in his profession, a place at present occupied by Michael Massey. Massey or India may try to maneuver to 3rd base, or Massey could possibly be utilized in a commerce to deal with one other want. India was a beginning third baseman in 2019, his final season within the minors.
Singer bounced again from a disastrous 2023 season to publish a 3.71 ERA in 32 begins with 170 strikeouts in 179 2⁄3 innings. Since he made his debut in 2020, he has 10.5 fWAR, rating thirty sixth out of 173 beginning pitchers in that point.
