Blockbuster Trade: Royals Send Brady Singer to Reds for Jonathan India and Joey Wiemer
In a move that has the baseball world buzzing, the Kansas City Royals and the Cincinnati Reds pulled off a major trade on Friday. The Royals sent right-handed pitcher Brady Singer to the Reds in exchange for infielder Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wiemer. This deal addresses key needs for both teams and could have a significant impact on their respective 2025 campaigns.
Brady Singer: A Proven Arm Heads to Cincinnati
Brady Singer, 28, has been a reliable presence in the Royals’ rotation for the past five seasons. Last year, he posted a 9-13 record with a 3.71 ERA across 32 starts, playing a pivotal role in Kansas City’s surprising playoff run. Over his career with the Royals, Singer made 127 starts and compiled a 4.28 ERA. While his 2023 season was a bit of a hiccup with a 5.52 ERA, he rebounded strongly in 2024, proving his value as a durable and effective starter.
For the Reds, Singer fills a glaring need in their rotation. Cincinnati has struggled with injuries to their starting pitchers in recent years, finishing 16th in starters’ ERA last season. With the departure of Frankie Montas to the Milwaukee Brewers last summer, the Reds had a hole to fill. Singer’s consistency and experience, including his stint with Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, make him a valuable addition to their pitching staff.
Jonathan India: A Former Rookie of the Year Joins Kansas City
Heading to Kansas City is Jonathan India, a 27-year-old infielder who has shown flashes of brilliance during his four-year MLB career. India hit .248 with 15 home runs in 2024 while playing exclusively at second base. His career .764 OPS is solid, and he burst onto the scene in 2021 by winning Rookie of the Year honors after hitting a career-high 21 home runs.
The Royals have been searching for offensive support to complement their star shortstop, Bobby Witt Jr., and India could be the answer. With his ability to hit for power and play solid defense, India brings versatility and experience to Kansas City’s lineup. The Royals’ pitching staff, which boasted the second-best ERA in the majors last season, gave them the flexibility to trade a rotation arm like Singer in order to bolster their offense.
Joey Wiemer: A Young Outfielder with Potential
Also heading to Kansas City is 25-year-old outfielder Joey Wiemer. Wiemer is joining his third major league team after debuting with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023 and spending last season with the Reds. While his career .201 batting average in 153 games leaves room for improvement, Wiemer has shown flashes of potential and could benefit from a fresh start with the Royals.
Why This Trade Makes Sense for Both Teams
On paper, this trade looks like a win-win for both organizations. Here’s why:
- For the Royals: Kansas City needed to add offensive firepower to support Bobby Witt Jr. and their lineup. By acquiring India and Wiemer, they address this need while leveraging their pitching depth, which was among the best in the league last season.
- For the Reds: Cincinnati desperately needed a reliable starting pitcher to stabilize their rotation. Singer’s durability and experience make him a perfect fit for a team looking to contend in 2025.
Both teams are clearly looking to build on their recent successes and position themselves for deeper playoff runs. The Royals are betting on India’s bat and Wiemer’s potential, while the Reds are banking on Singer to anchor their rotation.
What’s Next?
As the offseason continues, this trade could set the tone for more moves to come. The Royals and Reds have made their intentions clear: they’re not content to stand pat. For fans of both teams, this deal is sure to spark plenty of debate and excitement as the 2025 season approaches.
Will Brady Singer thrive in Cincinnati? Can Jonathan India rediscover his Rookie of the Year form in Kansas City? And will Joey Wiemer take the next step in his development? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: this trade has added a lot of intrigue to the upcoming MLB season.
Originally Written by: Jeff Passan
