In his four years in the big leagues, Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India has observed significant changes. Throughout this time, he has noted that the team has consistently struggled to overcome major obstacles. Before the first game since David Bell‘s dismissal, India said the Reds “need to make a move.”
“We’re tired of losing,” India told Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Charlie Goldsmith before Tuesday’s game. “It’s the same thing every year here. We just float around .500 and try to make the push but we just don’t have enough.”
The Reds lost to the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night. It’s their eighth losing season in the last 11 years.
Jonathan India Calls Out Reds for Lack of Spending
India, 27, won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2021, the season after the team’s last postseason appearance. He is hitting .247/.354/.394 with 15 home runs for the Reds this season and is seen as a team leader. India signed a two-year, $8.8 million contract before the season as he is under team control through 2026.
The Reds are known for being one of baseball’s cheaper teams under CEO Robert H. Castellini. He never seems to make any moves for prime free agents while letting their stars enter the open market. The Reds let Trevor Bauer walk after winning the National League Cy Young Award in 2020. They didn’t re-sign Nick Castellanos after he opted out of his four-year after the 2021 season. The Reds began to sell off veteran players including Jesse Winker, Eugenio Suarez, Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo. Cincinnati opened this season with a payroll of $106.4 million, the 22nd-highest total in the sport.
It Has to Be a Big Offseason For the Reds
India added that the Reds should spend more. “Yeah, it could be. Yeah. There’s a certain thing we need to get. It’s got to be a big offseason. Who knows if I’ll be here next year. Who knows if [Tyler] Stephenson will be here. We’re running out of time. We were the young core. Then, we added Elly [De La Cruz] and so many guys. They need to make moves. I want to win.”
Nick Krall and the front office have a clear need to make significant offseason moves, which goes beyond just the task of hiring a new manager.
Main Photo: © Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
