Reds trade for Singer, send India, Wiemer to Royals

CINCINNATI -- The Reds made a trade on Friday that added more depth to their rotation but also meant parting with a popular veteran. Cincinnati acquired right-handed starting pitcher Brady Singer from the Royals for second baseman Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wiemer.

Singer, 28, is eligible for arbitration this winter and again the following offseason after he earned $4.85 million in 2024. India is due to make $5 million in 2025, plus he is eligible for arbitration after next season.

TRADE DETAILS
Reds get: RHP Brady Singer
Royals get: 2B Jonathan India, OF Joey Wiemer

“We’ve talked to [the Royals] since probably a little bit before the GM Meetings, just to get an idea," Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. "We knew that they had interest in Jonathan, and we had interest in adding another starter."

In 32 starts and 179 2/3 innings for Kansas City last season, Singer was 9-13 with a 3.71 ERA and 3.1 bWAR. He had more starts and innings than anybody on Cincinnati's pitching staff in 2024.

In five big league seasons, Singer is 36-44 with a 4.28 ERA over 127 games, including 124 starts. Like India, he was a first-round pick in the 2018 Draft out of the University of Florida, and the two friends won a national title together in 2017.

“Me and Indy are really good friends," Singer said. "He’s incredible to play with. I was hoping I would get to play with him again, but we got swapped for each other. A whirlwind of emotions. This is my first trade I’ve ever been through. I’m excited for what’s to come. I’m excited to be part of this organization and get to meet everybody.”

Singer's arrival marks the second starting pitcher added to the Reds' rotation after free agent Nick Martinez decided Monday to accept a $21.05 million qualifying offer for 2025.

“Last year, we had 16 pitchers on our staff that started games, so just getting someone with some durability and some longevity that’s had quality in the big leagues that we feel can shore up the rotation," Krall said. "Those two guys have a chance to really add impact and length to our team.”

The Reds’ rotation is expected to have All-Star Hunter Greene, Martinez and Singer, plus Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, Rhett Lowder, Carson Spiers and Graham Ashcraft in the mix for the remaining spots. Martinez could also be used as both a starter and reliever, much like he was this past season.

None of the starters have ever made more than 26 big league starts in a season, which Singer has done three times.

“I was blessed with a healthy year," Singer said. "I felt really good, really strong. It’s nice when you can take the ball every start and I was able to make 32 starts there.”

Singer is not known for power stuff and his sinker – the right-hander's primary pitch – averaged just over 92 mph last season. He's a ground-ball pitcher and often induces lighter contact. That should serve him well going from pitcher-friendly Kauffman Stadium to hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.

In his only career start at GABP – an 8-1 win over the Reds – Singer pitched six scoreless innings.

“I obviously know about it," Singer said of GABP. "I know I am going from one of the biggest ballparks to a little bit smaller. I’ll just go out there and trust my stuff and do what I can to get outs and give our team a chance to win.”

This acquisition likely signals that the Reds are done looking for starting pitching and can focus on other areas.

“I feel pretty good about the staff as we are now," Krall said. "I think we’re just going to continue to look to improve the team. It was tough to obviously trade Jonathan India off this team. He’s a great player. We drafted him as a college guy. A really good person, good family. But we felt this was something that really could help us shore up our pitching staff.”

Turning 28 next month, India was the 2021 National League Rookie of the Year Award winner. In 151 games last season, he batted .248 with a .749 OPS, 15 home runs and 58 RBIs.

“I talked to Jonathan. He was in Italy with his family on vacation, so it was a little tough to get a hold of him," Krall said. "I just thanked him for everything he did for this organization and what he did for this clubhouse. He was good. He’s a professional. He’s a tremendous individual."

India's spot at second base is expected to be filled by Matt McLain. That was supposed to be the scenario for the Reds last season, with India playing different positions. But McLain suffered a left shoulder injury in March that required surgery that caused him to miss the entire season. India wound up making 132 starts at second base.

McLain played in the Arizona Fall League after the season and showed the Reds that he was healthy, which made them comfortable with moving India.

"He’s going to get a normal offseason, come into Spring Training and hopefully be ready to go," Krall said of McLain.

Wiemer had only one plate appearance in two games for the Reds and played 30 games for Triple-A Louisville after he was acquired with pitcher Jakob Junis in the July 30 trade that sent starter Frankie Montas to the Brewers.