This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon's Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CINCINNATI -- New Reds starting pitcher Brady Singer has been busy getting acquainted with his new team since he was traded from the Royals last month for second baseman Jonathan India, his former University of Florida teammate.

Singer has been in touch with manager Terry Francona, pitching coach Derek Johnson and some teammates. He also negotiated a deal for his jersey number.

On the “Hot Stove League” show on the Reds Radio Network, Tommy Thrall and I spoke to Singer during a phone interview Wednesday night. Here's a portion of the conversation, with some of the questions and answers edited for length and brevity:

Question: When you found out you were joining a pretty talented Reds staff, what went through your mind, especially now that you've had to time process it a little bit?

Singer: Really excited, for sure. You mentioned a key word there is talent. We have a lot of talent on this team and that starting staff. It's really fun to watch. We played them this year, and it reminded me of a Royals team a few years ago with a lot of young guys with a lot of talent. You saw what we did last year when it all gets put together. I'm excited to see us put it all together this year. I'm just excited to get there and meet all the new guys. [It's] a new opportunity to learn some new things from different people, as well.

Question: You threw six scoreless innings vs. the Reds at Great American Ball Park on Aug. 18. Being a sinker-ball guy who gets a lot of light contact, did that give you confidence about going from Kauffman Stadium to GABP?

Singer: Yeah. Two totally different ballparks. You try to keep the ball on the ground, right? It's obviously a shorter ballpark there in Cincinnati. I will try not to overthink it or do too much. I will try to keep the ball on the ground and trust the guys behind me.

Question: A transaction within the transaction was you getting No. 51 from Graham Ashcraft, the number you wore in Kansas City. Ashcraft will get No. 23. How did that come about? Did you engage in negotiations?

Singer: Yeah, definitely some negotiations went on there. I had to shoot him a text and see if he was willing to give it up. Thankfully, he was. It was an awesome move by him, and I'm obviously appreciative of it. I'm going to figure out what he likes and get to know him a little bit and buy him something cool. I've got a few ideas, but I'm not sure what he wants yet. I know he's an outdoors guy. I have some things up my sleeve that might make him happy for him to give that up.

Question: The changeup has been a struggle for you at times. Is that a pitch that is still a work in progress?

Singer: I've kind of thought about never throwing it again or keep working on it. I've gone down both paths, for sure. I'm working on one now. I've got a new grip that I've learned. I'm going to throw it more this offseason, more than I ever have and just keep working on it, keep trying to tinker with it and try to make it better. I'm also working on other things. I'm working on the sweeper still and the slider and four-seam. I'm just trying to make those pitches the best I can. And if the changeup comes, it does. I'll just keep throwing it, keep working on it, keep trying to learn new ideas. I really like where it's at right now. I've got a grip that I'm really comfortable with, and I'm throwing it a lot during my progressions this offseason. I'm excited to keep throwing that and use it more in games at Spring Training.

Question: Now that the dust has settled, have you and India had the chance to talk at all about the trade?

Singer: We reached out to each other and talked about what to expect from each side. I heard incredible things. He never had a bad thing to say. He loved his time in Cincinnati, and he's excited that I'm going there. He gave me all the info that I needed. Me and my wife and my little one are excited to get up there and learn the city and meet new people. I'm just ready to get going.