In 2018, Jonathan India and Brady Singer were both selected in the first round of the MLB Draft out of the University of Florida. More than six years later, they could now be involved in a potential trade between the Cincinnati Reds and the Kansas City Royals.
India, the Reds’ second baseman, is reportedly one of several hitters the Royals are targeting, according to sources familiar with the team’s trade discussions. Singer, a right-handed starting pitcher coming off one of his best seasons, has drawn interest from Cincinnati and other clubs looking to bolster their rotations, the sources added.
As of Saturday, a trade involving India and Singer was not imminent, and it remains just one of several options being explored by both teams. The Royals are also considering deals involving less-established pitchers like left-hander Kris Bubic or right-hander Alec Marsh in exchange for a younger hitter.
For teams looking to contend immediately, however, Singer is viewed as a more appealing option. Like India, Singer, 28, is under club control for two more seasons. He is projected to earn approximately $8.5 million through arbitration in 2025. India, who will also turn 28 by Opening Day, is set to earn $5 million next season and will be eligible for arbitration for the final time in 2026.
Should the Royals acquire India, he would form a formidable middle-infield pairing with shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., an AL MVP finalist. Last season, the Royals cycled through five different second basemen, with Michael Massey getting the majority of starts at the position, playing 70 games. Like India, Massey has exclusively played second base in his career.
In turn, the Reds would gain a durable starter in Singer, who would slot into their rotation behind Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Andrew Abbott. If Nick Martinez accepts the qualifying offer by Tuesday’s deadline, he could also compete for a spot in the rotation. This would give Cincinnati the flexibility to keep top pitching prospect Rhett Lowder in the minors, unless he proves ready for a major-league role.
Singer posted a 9-13 record with a 3.71 ERA in 32 starts last season, logging 179.2 innings — 29.1 more than Greene, who led the Reds with 150.1 innings pitched. The Reds used 11 different starting pitchers, excluding openers, with Greene, Abbott, and Lodolo being the only three to start more than 20 games. Frankie Montas also made 19 starts before being traded to Milwaukee at the deadline.
Discussions with the Royals indicate that the team’s top three starters — AL Cy Young finalist Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans, and Michael Wacha — are considered off-limits in trade talks. As a result, Singer is seen as a more realistic target, particularly for teams that can offer the type of leadoff hitter Kansas City is seeking.
India, the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year, has spent the majority of his career in the leadoff spot, starting 340 games there. He has posted a .257/.360/.416 slash line from the leadoff position and a .368 on-base percentage to begin games. However, his production dropped slightly in 2024, with a .295 on-base percentage in 105 plate appearances from the leadoff spot, hitting two home runs.
Kansas City’s leadoff hitters struggled in 2024, posting a .270 on-base percentage and a .235 batting average when leading off the game. Witt, who primarily hit second, was a standout, slashing .325/.370/.536 in the first inning — the best mark among all Royals hitters.
While India’s future with the Reds was uncertain entering spring training last season, an injury to Matt McLain kept India at second base, where he started 132 games in 2024. India finished the season with a .248/.357/.392 slash line, hitting 15 home runs and stealing 13 bases. For his career, he has a .253/.357/.412 line.