The Reds and Royals completed a blockbuster deal before Thanksgiving, as Jonathan India and Brady Singer will trade places. The Royals grab India, a former NL Rookie of the Year with pop and great ability to get on base. The Reds, meanwhile, bolster their young rotation with Brady Singer, a 28-year-old under control for a few more years.

The Reds’ Return

• SP Brady Singer (3.71 ERA, 170 K over 179.1 IP)

The past three campaigns have been a roller coaster for Brady Singer. During the 2022 season, Singer cemented himself as a reliable Major League starter when he threw a career-high 153.1 IP for the Royals.

However, he had arguably the best season of his career in 2024. Singer threw a career-high 179.2 IP, struck out a career-best 170, and posted a 3.70 ERA.

The 2024 campaign was significantly better for Singer, as he missed bats over 2% more than 2023. During that 2023 season, his walk rate of 2.8 was fine but gave up 1.5 more H/9 and had a 5.52 ERA in 159.2 IP.

Singer isn’t a pure strikeout pitcher. The new Red heavily pounds the zone with a sinker, which can be categorized more as a running two-seamer that doesn’t sink much. He’ll complete it primarily with a slider that he threw over 40% of the time in 2024, along with a four-seamer, sweeper, and changeup.

His slider is the pitch in which Singer derives most of his whiffs, as seen in the chart below. It’s a well-above-average pitch with hard drop, which can get hitters chasing to his glove side.

Sinker generated above-average GB% rates in each of his first five seasons. Which, can cause his numbers to fluctuate somewhat, as he’s a pitch-to-contact arm. However, he’ll have Elly De La Cruz (+15 Outs Above Average) and Matt McLain (+2 OAA in 2023) behind him in Cincy.

The Reds will have control of Singer through the 2026 campaign.

The Royals’ Return

• 2B Jonathan India (.248/.357/.392, 15 HR and 45 XBH over 151 GP)
• OF Joey Wiemer (.154/.214/.154, 0 XBH over 21 GP) (MLB)

It’s somewhat appropriate that India and Singer were traded for one another. Both were teammates at the University of Florida. Both were drafted in the same year. Singer was picked 18th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft, while India went fifth overall to the Reds.

India, the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year, shined during his first career season with the Reds when he hit a career-high 21 home runs as Cincinatti’s leadoff man. His .376 OBP was sixth-best in the National League that season.

He hasn’t replicated those numbers since. India has cracked double-digits in home runs in each of the last three seasons. He had 17 in 2023, and 15 in 2024.

India, a 27-year-old, is among the game’s best in terms of laying off junk. His 18.4% Chase% ranked in the 98th percentile last season per Statcast, an elite figure.

His value offensively comes largely from his eye. However, India does have pop. He’s not an above-average power hitter (.159 career ISO). But, he can generate bat speed and can drive balls with a pull-heavy approach. Not to mention, his eye helps him recognize and stay back on breaking balls.

Defensively, India was a third baseman in college but ticketed to move to second thanks to fringe arm strength. India does have good range at the position.

The new Royal infielder is under team control through the 2026 season.

The other piece involved in this deal is Joey Wiemer. Wiemer was a highly-touted prospect in the Brewers system. He hit 48 home runs in his first two pro seasons, and showcased great athleticism with plus speed and arm strength.

Wiemer hasn’t had much success in his MLB career. The 25-year-old hit .201/.279/.349 over his first two MLB seasons and was largely out of the picture in Milwaukee thanks to their deep outfield.

The Reds acquired him last July from Milwaukee for Frankie Montas.

Analysis

A Jonathan India trade has been rumored for over a year, dating back to mid-2023. At that time, the Reds were A) in need of pitching and B) had significant infield depth. Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz just arrived and thrived in the Majors, leaving India’s future in flux. McLain was injured for all of 2024, which shelved any thoughts of moving him.

With McLain healthy again, the Reds shifted their attention toward using India to get a reliable, middle-of-the-rotation arm. The Reds now have a tentative rotation that includes Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, and the returning Nick Martinez, who accepted his qualifying offer.

The Royals, meanwhile, add a leadoff hitter with more punch. Kansas City used Maikel Garcia as their leadoff for much of 2024 but he had just a .281 OBP overall last season. And only four regular players for the Royals last season — Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Freddy Fermin — had on-base percentages of .310 or greater.

To score runs, it’s important to get runners on base. India does that. Which, in theory, should help Witt Jr. and Perez get more opportunities to drive in runs.

It should be noted, though, that Kansas City used Michael Massey at second base last season. Massey hit career-highs in home runs (14) and ISO (.190) but only had a .294 OBP in 2024.

Additionally, Kansas City gets a power hitter in Wiemer. The Royals had trouble getting offense from their outfield last year. On the other hand, Wiemer is a buy-low candidate thanks to his past production.

To do that, the Royals had to deal from their pitching depth. Heading into 2025, the Royals will have Cole Ragans, Michael Wacha, and Seth Lugo. Plus, don’t forget about Kyle Wright, acquired last winter from the Braves.

Before this move, we noted the Reds’ biggest need this winter was a back-end starter, which Cincinatti took care of and then some. Here’s a look at what other National League teams should — but may not — target this winter.