Former NL Rookie of the Year, Jonathan India and the Cincinnati Reds have agreed to a two-year deal. Both parties will avoid an arbitration hearing for this year and next. India, who is represented by the Boras Corporation, will be under club control through the 2026 season. Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reported that he will be paid $3.8 million in 2024 and $5 million in 2025. Plus, he is eligible for arbitration one final time following the 2025 season. India filed for a $4 million salary in his first round through the arbitration process, while the Reds countered with a $3.2 million figure.
The #Reds and IF Jonathan India have agreed to terms on a two-year contract, avoiding arbitration. pic.twitter.com/Zz1RPdC851
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) February 9, 2024
Former NL Rookie of the Year Avoids Arbitration Hearing
The former NL Rookie of the Year has hit .246/.333/.394 since winning it in 2021. He has 27 home runs over 960 plate appearances for Cincinnati, with hamstring injuries and plantar fasciitis leaving him absent from the field. With Cincinnati’s up-and-coming core, they will have to get creative with the lineup. They have to find ways to keep young infielders such as Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz playing everyday. However, there might be times where Inida plays first base or is the designated hitter.
Reds Are Not Trying to Move India
Back in December, Reds general manager had talks with India about being moved to other positions. “We sat down with him before Redsfest again and had a conversation with him about, ‘Hey, how can we get your bat in the lineup more?’ I’ve said this openly … we’re not trying to trade him. But I’m not going to tell you it’s never going to happen,” Krall said.
“We’re not looking to move him. He has a chance to be a very big contributor on our club next year. I told him that. We’re not looking to trade anybody. Do people get asked about? Sure. Does that happen periodically? Sure. But at the same time, we are not looking to just move him. That’s been out there multiple times.”
Following his rookie campaign, Christian Encarnacion-Strand appears to be the leading candidate to play first base. Besides Encarnacion-Strand, Specner Steer, Tyler Stephenson and perhaps India could also man first base.
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