The Kansas City Royals traded for second baseman Jonathan India from the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, adding a reliable leadoff hitter and middle infielder to play alongside star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.
As part of the trade, the Royals also received outfielder Joey Wiemer, while sending right-handed pitcher Brady Singer to Cincinnati.
India, 27, was named NL Rookie of the Year in 2021 and had a batting average of .248 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs in 2024. He played in a career-high 151 games and walked 80 times, which was tied for the fifth most in the majors. He has led off in 341 of his 523 career games.
India is under contract for $5.45 million next season and can become a free agent in 2027.
India was drafted fifth overall by the Reds in 2018, 13 spots ahead of Singer. They were college teammates at Florida.
Singer, 28, has been a regular in the Royals’ starting rotation since making his debut during the 2020 pandemic-shortened season. In 2024, he posted a 9-13 record with a 3.71 ERA in a career-high 179 2/3 innings, helping the Royals reach an AL wild-card playoff spot.
Singer has a career record of 36-44 with a 4.28 ERA in 127 games, including 124 starts. He is eligible for arbitration in 2025 and free agency in 2027.
Wiemer was acquired by the Reds in July, along with pitcher Jakob Junis, as part of a trade that sent pitcher Frankie Montas to Milwaukee. The 25-year-old outfielder played in two games for the Reds and finished the season with Triple-A Louisville.
