In 2018, Jonathan India and Brady Singer were first-round picks out of the University of Florida. More than six years later, it’s possible they could be traded for one another.
India, the Cincinnati Reds’ second baseman, is one of several hitters the Kansas City Royals are targeting, according to sources briefed on the team’s discussions. And Singer, a right-handed starting pitcher coming off one of his best seasons, is drawing interest from the Reds and other teams seeking to deepen their rotations, the sources said.
A trade involving India and Singer was not close on Saturday, and is just one of several possibilities under consideration for both clubs. The Royals also are entertaining the idea of trading a less established pitcher such as left-hander Kris Bubic or righty Alec Marsh for a younger hitter.
Teams interested in immediate contention, however, prefer Singer, who — like India — is under club control for two more seasons. Singer, 28, projects to earn approximately $8.5 million in arbitration in 2025. India, who will be 28 on Opening Day, is signed for $5 million. Both will be eligible for arbitration a final time in 2026.
If the Royals acquired India, they would pair him in their middle infield with shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., an American League MVP finalist. Last year, the Royals played five different second basemen, with Michael Massey getting the majority of the playing time, starting 70 games. Like India, Massey has only played second base in his career.
In Singer, the Reds would get a durable starter whom they could plug into their rotation behind Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Andrew Abbott. If Nick Martinez accepted the qualifying offer by Tuesday’s deadline, he would also get a shot at the rotation. That would allow the team, if everyone is healthy, to start Rhett Lowder in the minors if it doesn’t think he’s ready. If Lowder made the rotation, Martinez could return to the bullpen, where he spent the bulk of 2024.
Singer was 9-13 with a 3.71 ERA in 32 starts last season. His 179 2/3 innings were 29 1/3 more than Greene, who led the Reds with 150 1/3 innings in 26 starts. The Reds used 11 different starters, not including openers. Only three pitchers — Greene, Abbott and Lodolo — started more than 20 games, although Frankie Montas made 19 starts before being traded to Milwaukee at the deadline.
Teams talking to the Royals know the team’s top three starters — AL Cy Young finalist Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans or Michael Wacha — are essentially off-limits. Singer is a more logical request, particularly if a potential suitor can offer the type of leadoff hitter the Royals are seeking.
India, the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year, has led off more than any other spot in the lineup, starting 340 games at the top of it. Over his career, India has hit .257/.360/.416 out of the leadoff spot — and has a .368 on-base percentage leading off the game, though .295 in 105 plate appearances in 2024 with two homers.
Royals leadoff batters had a .270 on-base percentage and .235 as the first batter of the game. Witt, who started all but one game in the two hole, hit .325/.370/.536 in the first inning.
When healthy, India gets on base and swings at strikes. India swung at just 16.7 percent of pitches thrown outside the zone, the best mark in all of MLB last season, topping Andrew McCutchen, Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Steven Kwan. Witt, who batted second for the Royals, came to the plate 433 times with nobody on base — the most in baseball last year.
Although India’s positional future was in doubt with the Reds entering spring training last season, the injury to Matt McLain kept him at second base, the only position he has played in the big leagues. India started 132 games at second base for the Reds in 2024, hitting .248/.357/.392 with 15 home runs and 13 stolen bases. He’s a career .253/.357/.412 hitter.
