In a move that might surprise some fans, former Cincinnati Reds infielder Jonathan India has officially agreed to a new contract with the Kansas City Royals. The deal is for one year at a total value of $8 million. But here’s where it gets controversial… many baseball watchers speculated that India could have been non-tendered this offseason, especially after a challenging performance in 2025.
Last season, following the Reds' decision to trade India along with outfielder Joey Wiemer to the Royals in exchange for pitcher Brady Singer during the previous offseason, India’s production dipped noticeably. Over 136 games, the young infielder posted a batting line of .233/.323/.346, with only 38 extra-base hits. This was reportedly India’s lowest OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging) in a full season so far as a Major League player, marking a fall from his earlier performances.
Throughout his career with Cincinnati, India maintained an average of .253 over four seasons. His breakout came in 2021 when he earned the National League Rookie of the Year award, a season that many still refer to as his peak.
India was selected fifth overall by the Reds in the 2018 MLB Draft from the University of Florida. He debuted in Major League Baseball on April 1, 2021, hitting against the St. Louis Cardinals and going 2-for-4 at the plate.
Despite recent struggles, India remains under team control through the 2026 season. Fans and analysts will now be watching closely to see if he can rebound and regain his earlier form during the upcoming season with Kansas City.
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Stay tuned and keep following us for ongoing Reds coverage, and share your thoughts—do you believe this move will help India bounce back, or are you skeptical about his future? Let us know in the comments!
