In what could become one of the more intriguing trades of the , reports have surfaced suggesting that the Kansas City Royals are exploring a potential swap of starting pitcher Brady Singer for Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India. While details remain scarce, the rumored deal has the potential to reshape both teams’ futures in significant ways.

Brady Singer, 27, has been one of the key pitchers for the Royals since being selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. In his four seasons in the majors, Singer has demonstrated flashes of brilliance, often serving as the team’s ace. His 2023 season was a tale of highs and lows. Singer posted a 4.14 ERA over 33 starts, logging 188 innings and striking out 171 batters. While those numbers are solid, they don’t fully capture the potential that many believe he possesses.
Singer’s greatest strength lies in his fastball, which regularly touches the mid-90s, and his ability to generate ground balls with a solid slider and changeup. Despite his ability to induce weak contact, Singer has at times struggled with consistency, particularly with command and limiting hard contact. Nevertheless, the Royals likely view him as a foundational piece for their future—yet with an underwhelming 2023 season and a struggling franchise, the allure of a high-impact position player like Jonathan India could be too good to pass up.
On the other side of the trade equation is Jonathan India, 27, a player who has shown flashes of being a cornerstone for the Reds’ future. India was the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year after a breakout campaign in which he slashed .269/.376/.459 with 21 home runs and 69 RBIs. While India has not quite reached the same level of production in 2023, his potential remains undeniable. In 2023, he slashed .249/.342/.399 with 12 homers and 50 RBIs, struggling at times with injuries and consistency but still showing solid plate discipline and an ability to get on base.
India plays second base with a well-rounded defensive skill set. His range is solid, and his arm is adequate, making him a reliable presence on the right side of the infield. As the Reds continue their rebuilding efforts, a trade for a promising pitcher like Singer could help solidify the team’s future rotation, but acquiring a second baseman like India could bolster the Royals’ infield and provide a much-needed offensive boost.
The Royals’ motivation for exploring a trade of Brady Singer likely centers on their long-term strategy. While Singer holds value as a young, controllable pitcher, the Royals have struggled to build a competitive roster around their pitching staff. In recent years, the team has seen flashes of strong pitching from players like Singer, but has been plagued by inconsistent performances and injuries throughout their rotation.
Kansas City has also been more aggressive in rebuilding their lineup, particularly on the offensive side. Their offense has been a primary weakness for several seasons, and trading a promising pitcher for a position player like Jonathan India could allow the Royals to better address their need for offensive production, particularly in the infield. India’s on-base skills and potential to hit for power from the left side of the plate would complement the Royals’ core group, which includes young stars like Bobby Witt Jr. and MJ Melendez.
On the Cincinnati side, the Reds find themselves in a similar position to the Royals. They’ve enjoyed success with young talent, particularly in their pitching staff, but their infield has been less of a strength in recent years. India’s performance, while solid, has been uneven, and the emergence of players like Elly De La Cruz at shortstop and Matt McLain at second base could push India into a more expendable position. While India is still under team control for several more seasons, the Reds might view this trade as a way to capitalize on his value while still bolstering their pitching staff, which has long been a weakness.
A trade for Brady Singer could help stabilize the Reds’ starting rotation, which has promising but raw talent, and could use a pitcher with more experience to complement younger arms like Hunter Greene and Nick . The Reds’ pitching depth would be greatly enhanced by someone like Singer, and adding him could be a strategic move for a team looking to contend in the next few seasons.
While this rumored trade is far from finalized, it makes sense for both teams on several levels. For the Royals, adding a player like Jonathan India could boost their offense and provide a reliable presence in the infield. For the Reds, acquiring a pitcher like Brady Singer could help solidify their rotation and create a more balanced, competitive team moving forward.
As both teams look to build for the future, this trade could be a turning point for both franchises, providing each with a key piece to address their current needs. Fans on both sides will likely be watching closely as this rumor unfolds into what could be a very consequential move in the MLB .