Edit: My comments below are solely based on the emotional aspect I feel as a fan. The article I posted talks more about the business side and the positive return we got!
Theres something about having your favorite player get traded every 5 years that just hits you right in the gut. I understand why we had to do it though and I would have done the same thing if I was Krall. India wasn't a perfect ball player but we drafted and developed him, and he shined at times especially in his leadership role. Flying in for Bengals playoff games and taking pictures with fans at the tailgates, that stuff means something to us fans so he will always be appreciated! Here's my full thoughts if you're interested. https://thestateofsports.com/2024/11/22/reds-trade-former-rookie-of-the-year-jonathan-india-acquire-rhp-brady-singer-from-the-royals/
12 comments
I liked him a lot too but this really should have been obvious, he barely had a spot on last year’s roster before injuries struck and we had need for him again.
He was a great clubhouse presence but I can’t say he’s improved on the field compared to his ROY season. He’s a solid player, fun guy to have on the team but we currently have more enticing options that we need to focus on developing.
That being said I’m glad hes going somewhere that im pretty sure will love him like we do and he has a good chance as an everyday player
On paper, this move should make both teams better. But we just have to wait to see how it pans out. If McLain can pick up anywhere close to where he left off after 90 games in his rookie season, I don’t see why he couldn’t fill the role India is leaving behind.
I hate the narrative that the reds trade every fan favorite. In the past it felt like they traded most of those guys too late, if anything. India is a fairly average baseball player
If India were on the open market, he may be a 10 to 15 million dollar a year player.
If Singer were on the open market right now, he would be a 20 million dollar a year player.
The value of Singer is greater than the value of India.
Simple.
I think the return is fine. A good move for both teams. Had Francona not been the manager hire I’d have some serious concerns about the in clubhouse leadership.
The payoff will be Singer and McLains health. If those guys are on the field it was a good move for the Reds.
Green, Singer, Abbot, Lodolo, Lowder, Martinez, and eventually Burns is an awesome stable of starters. Still have Ashcroft, Spiers, and Richardson as depth. The Reds should have the best pitching in the division and one of the top handful in the NL.
We needed a 30 start guy to give us rotation depth and had an overpriced backup who had no positional flexibility. We decided to throw in someone who has been a AAAA OF to get it done.
Look, I *like* India. Problem is people forget that baseball is a business. Business wise, this move makes sense. If the Reds didn’t have the injuries they did last year, India probably doesn’t see the field as much as he did. Statistically, he was slightly above average playing in a hitter’s park. He was probably playing at or near his peak last year. Now would be the best time to move him if they were going to. Getting a quality starting pitcher for him was a good move. Singer is a solid number 3 guy for the rotation. This helps shore up a starting rotation that has had issues staying healthy. Greene and Lodollo have been on the IL at some point *every* year they have been in the majors. The Reds have enough pitching depth now that injuries shouldn’t totally derail the rotation. Greene- Abbott- Singer- Lowder-Martinez/Lodollo should be a serviceable rotation.
He’s a great guy and he meant a lot to many different people. But as a player, he has largely stagnated. He’s an above average player but it was gonna be hard to find time for him on the field. So we traded him for a bigger need. It’s okay to feel sad a player you like is gone, but we likely got better overall as a team. Both things can be true.
My 7 year old niece dressed up as India for Halloween. He hit two home runs in her first time at a game. I have no idea how I’m going to break this news to her.
The reds traded a slightly above average 2nd baseman for a slightly above average starting pitcher which makes sense for the team. The plan should be McLain who has a higher upside than India and then you have Steer and Espinal on roster already as backup options. Singer has made 61 starts over the last 2 seasons with a FIP around 4, that has value on a young staff like the Reds.
I’m super fucking heartbroken, even on the next day. He was honestly my favorite player on the Reds last year. He let me see my first ever grand slam in person! I’m super sad that he’s gone.