The Reds traded one Florida Gator for another.
They added depth to their starting pitching while clearing a backlog of infielders by trading Jonathan India and Joey Weimer to the Kansas City Royals for Brady Singer.
India and Singer were teammates with the Florida Gators, graduating together in 2018. Singer was the 18th player selected in the 2018 draft while Singer was also chosen in the first round by Kansas City with the 18th pick in the draft
Weimer graduated from the University of Cincinnati and broke in with the Milwaukee Brewers. He was traded to the Reds with Jakob Junis at the trade deadline for Frankie Montas.
Singer was 9-13 with the Royals in 2024 but made all 42 starts, logging, 179 2/3 innings with a 3.71 ERA. Singer struck out 170 batters while walking just 54.
Singer broke in with the Royals in the Covid shortened 2020 season but made 27 starts in 2021, 24 starts plus three relief appearances in 2022 and 29 starts in 2029. At 28 the Leesburg, Florida native has shown the durability that the Reds have been seeking in their young starters, Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft all of whom lost significant time in 2024.
India was a third baseman at Florida but the Reds moved him to second base into the starting lineup in 2021. He batted .269 with 21 home runs, 34 doubles and 69 RBI and won the Rookie of the Year Award in the National League. All of the above numbers remain his career highs. India battled injuries in 2022 and 2023 but played in 151 game last season, hitting .248 with 15 home runs, 28 doubles and 58 RBI.
He will join an infield that features budding superstar Bobby Witt Jr.
Meanwhile the Reds opened a spot for Matt McLain who missed the entire 2024 with a shoulder injury. He should join a young talented infield with Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marte and Christian-Encarnacion Strand with Edwin Arroyo pushing his way up through the organization.
Weimer played just two games for the Reds spending most of the season at Triple A. He was in a crowded outfield with starters Spencer Steer, TJ Friedl, Jake Fraley and Stuart Fairchild. The Reds also have youngsters Blake Dunn, Rece Hinds and Jacob Hurtubise. The all spent time with the Reds last season.
The Reds avoided arbitration with Santiago Espinal by signing him to a one-year contract for 2025. Ian Gibaut was mnt tendered a contract for 2025 and will likely become a free agent.
Nick Martinez accepted the Reds' qua;ifying offer for $21 million dollars and will remain with the Reds after being name the Johnny Vander Meer award as the Reds' Pitcher of the year by the Cincinnati Chapter of the Baseball Writer's Association.
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