Just under a year ago, the Royals and Reds made one of the first significant trades of the 2024-25 offseason when Kansas City acquired Jonathan India and Joey Wiemer in exchange for right-hander Brady Singer. The trade made plenty of sense at the time, as the Reds were in need of some reliability in their rotation while the Royals were desperate for offensive upgrades in the lineup. Singer fulfilled his role with the Reds for the most part, pitching to a solid 4.03 ERA in 32 starts. Things haven’t been quite so rosy on the Royals’ side of the equation, as Wiemer did not appear in an MLB game for the organization and India fell well short of expectations.
In 136 games this past year, the 28-year-old India split time between second base, third base, and left field while hitting .233/.323/.346 (89 wRC+). He was essentially a replacement level player, worth 0.4 WAR according Baseball Reference and -0.3 according to Fangraphs. That might sound surprising considering that India was within spitting distance of league average offensively and collected 567 plate appearances, but his defense was atrocious. His -14 Outs Above Average this year was in the first percentile among all qualified fielders, and he drew negative grades at every position he played. His -6 Defensive Runs Saved weren’t quite as ugly but still well below par.
Did India struggle enough that his first year in Kansas City will also be his last? He’s due to go through the arbitration process one final time in 2026, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting him for a $7.4MM salary next year. That’s a hefty chunk of change to spend on a replacement level player, especially for a Royals club that doesn’t have much money to spend this winter without first making room in the budget. While Michael Massey’s 57 wRC+ in 77 games was even more disastrous than India’s 2025 campaign, Massey is projected for a salary of just $2MM next year and is controlled through the 2028 season.
It’s undeniable that India had the better numbers of the two and looking at his advanced metrics creates an argument that he could’ve easily been an average or better hitter with a little luck. His 18.7% strikeout rate was actually the lowest of his career, and while a 9.5% walk rate was below his career norms it was still above league average. The big problems for India were that his BABIP dropped twenty points below his career norms while he managed to slug just nine home runs after being consistently good for 15 to 20 homer power during his time with the Reds.
The good news is that India’s expected numbers were stronger than his actual production, so there’s at least some reason to believe he could bounce back a bit in his age-29 season. Some of that reduction in power figures to be due to the difference between Great American Ballpark and Kauffman Stadium, however, as the Reds play at one of the friendliest stadiums in the majors for homers while the Royals undeniably have a pitcher’s park. Meanwhile, Massey’s season offers little in the way of statistical signs that better days on the way, but it’s still worth noting he was a quality player as recently as last year and his 2025 season was marred by multiple injuries, including an ankle sprain and a broken wrist. Perhaps all Massey needs to turn things around for his age-28 season is better health.
If the Royals decided to stick with both players, they’d been committing nearly $10MM to what would essentially be a second base platoon that was below replacement level in 2025. That’s a big gamble given the club’s limited resources, but there aren’t really any safe options at the club’s disposal. Non-tendering both players would leave the team with a hole and a free agent class somewhat thin on mid-tier infield talent (Willi Castro, Miguel Rojas) isn’t likely to provide a substantial upgrade, leaving them to pursue possible trade candidates like Brendan Donovan and Nolan Gorman. Non-tendering India would free up the majority of that money while still keeping Massey in house as a potential upside option, but it’s unclear if someone who would be better than India would be available at his price tag anyway. Non-tendering Massey would save a modest amount of money but, given his years of control, would only make sense if the team doesn’t believe he’ll be able to rebound. The non-tender deadline is Friday, giving the Royals just a few more days to make a decision.
How do MLBTR readers think the Royals should address second base this winter? Should they go with India, go with Massey, keep both, or send both packing in search of a new answer? Have your say in the poll below:
They should non tender both or tender Massey and pick up Luis Arraez
Royals fans who can play more positions India or Massey? because whoever can play more should be tendered imo.
Massey is an elite defensive second basemen. we tried moving both around to corner outfield and India at 3B to a resounding “meh”
India is way too expensive for the Royals to be a utility player. He’d be a fairly expensive utility man on a big spender.
And he’s not even a good utility player. They’d be better off bringing back Willie Bloomquist.
Arraez isn’t a second baseman.
Arraez is a decent first baseman at this point.
He was second baseman in Minnesota and Miami
I’ll restart my comment: Luis Arraez isn’t a competent second baseman.
Why didn’t the GMs & Managers think about playing Arraez at 2B more recently instead of assuming he’s just bad there? Some people need to be fired for overlooking this option
I would tend to agree with that statement, but he really hasn’t been a competent first baseman either, looking at defensive metrics. He was quoted as saying something along the lines of he wasn’t a first baseman, he was a second baseman but just played wherever the team needed him. The problem with that is most teams aren’t too keen on using the DH position for such a hitter. I don’t see him having a huge market, but that’s probably common knowledge at this point.
I would have understood if the Padres cut him loose last winter. He can’t field, can’t run, and has a limited hitting skill set.
They are talking about potentially bringing him back, from what I’ve read.
If he would walk more it would probably help to make him more palatable – which is not to say that he can’t offer some value to a team, because he will likely find a home, I’m just not sure it’ll be with a contender.
He made $14M last year, and his skill set is not worth that. They can put Sheets at 1B and find a cheap OF.
Why would they need a cheap OF? They’ve got Laureano, Merrill, and Tatis, with Johnson and Sheets able to fill in.
I don’t see him coming anywhere near that. 8-9 million max per year on a one year plus option year or straight two year deal. If he gets it to 3 years it’ll be because there are multiple teams or a lower yearly salary.
I’m thinking Arraez gets something like two years with an option at around 30m with incentives.
10m/yr with the possibility for about 12m if he wins a batting title.
Maybe they don’t need a cheap OF, but they’ll need some sort of position player to replace him. Maybe give Capusano a shot as part-time C/DH.
The Singer trade was a loss. They should just accept that and cut bait from India. They’re a pitching and defense team and wound up trading good pitching for bad defense. If Cameron didn’t come up and dominate his rookie season as a replacement starter it would’ve been an even worse trade.
I was very upset at the trade for a huge reason….. I was baffled why we needed India because we did have a second baseman albeit injured a lot, but apparently we trade for him because he was an on base guy…. But then they didn’t know where to put him!
I didn’t like it from the moment it happened. Pitching is gold and we traded gold for bronze in that trade.
The Angels need help at second and third. India for a lottery ticket makes sense for both sides.
Nothing specific to the Royals–just gotta tell you that i always look to see if you have posted–i enjoy your posts–they are fair and most importantly not aggressive–we all have our opinions, and we all dont have to always agree , but to me , there is no reason to get in another posters face with ridicule–you are most definitely not like that–much appreciated, especially being an Angels fan–still wont forgive you for for my Giants loss in 2002!!!
thanks, i appreciate that.
My dad is a Giants guy and I root for them unless they play the Angels. It was kind of brutal that after years of rooting for each others teams we finally made it to the Series against each other.
The following years working out pretty well for SF, though.
Sounds like your dad is a prince among men!!
Cant complain about 2010 thru 2014–
However 2002 was the first time for us old timey Giants fans to get to the world series since 1962–
50 years is 50 years–
i still wonder why Bobby Richardson wasnt playing over more towards first when McCovey hit his screaming liner that i thought was the winning hit—sigh
halosheaven, so what did you do in the 2002 World Series? 😜
“The trade made plenty of sense at the time,”
But it really didn’t. The most coveted asset in MLB right now is controllable starting pitching. Singer is a top 100 SP in the game which means that he will be relied upon to throw crucial playoff innings.
We have seen several trade deadlines in a row, where starting pitching cannot be traded because the prospect capital required to move it is too substantial. So to get back nothing but a mediocre 2nd baseman, was a disappointment for Kansas City at the time, and lo and behold, has not aged well.
You can have Davis Schneider for free. That doesn’t solve your problem but it solves mine.
I think they should get rid of both of them and find someone new, or move Garcia to 2nd and find a 3rd baseman. Yes, he just won a Gold Glove at 3rd but he can win one at 2nd in 2026. Massey has been given 1300 ABs in MLB and has a 2.2 career bWAR (1.6 of that was in 2024). He has no power and struggles to get on base. He also can’t stay healthy and has played over 100 games just once in his entire career. I thought the India trade was bad when it was made and was proven correct.
Now that I’ve said all that we know what the Royals will do because it’s what they always do: Run it back and hope it turns out better (which it never does). They did it with the OF situation last year and what they’ll do with 2nd base.
you don’t move a gold Glover from third base to second base.
My first thought for every hole on defense is “Could Maikel play there?” If he can, (and 2B he can), then move him. He’s a defensive dawg. There are more options available at the hot corner. If India and Massey can be tested in LF, then Maikel at 2B has no reason of not being attempted. Not to mention a consistent double play tandem of Bobby & Maikel just sounds amazing.
India playing for a new contract. Don’t underestimate motivation.
He better get motivated real quick. He needs to put up good numbers or else he’s going to have a tough free agency next season.
Not to mention if his BABIP comes up that 20 points, his numbers look a lot different. Now, I’d you’re going to move Garcia to 2nd and use the money to sign Suarez or Bregman for 3rd, non tender them both. but unless you have a better idea, need to keep India and get rid of Massey
Massey is worth another shot at the very least, he figured something out late last season with the bat. His defense at 2B is solid too, and not bad in LF.
Kinda want to give India another shot, first time he’s been with a different org. Doesn’t have to be the whole year. Get a good outfielder, 2B is covered well enough.
If the Royals want to get better they should trade Caglianone. He has no place to play.
I wonder who this new external addition is? Don’t know of any good bat good glove second basemen
Who are available. Donovan comes to mind,but nearly every team wants him – he will expensive.
Possibly Edman, but who do the Royal have that the Dodgers want?
Cronenworth is locked in at an affordable rate, and would fit well in KC.
This is a possibility. Certainly SD would like to lower their payroll a bit.
Rangers13 listed some names.
Not a lot of choices.
Kolek and Bergert would be my asking price, with Cronenworth and Peralta going to KC.
lmfaoooo. then SD can keep them
Rangers might swap E Duran, J. Smith, C. Freeman,or J. Foscue for controllable pitching like Kolek.
Sign Bichette for $50MM & 3 years
Sold
If you could get Bichette for that contract there would be 29 other teams he would be able to choose from as well. You’re at least 3 years and $100 million short on your proposal to sign Bichette.
He’s a shortstop and I bet he would rather rather be a shortstop.
Get Christopher Morel to platoon with Massey.
Cronenworth is available. We’ll take Bergert and Kolek for him. I’m sure the Padres would be willing to include Peralta too if need be.
I see what you did there. Throw in Tatis and I think we are getting somewhere.
The Royals can have Louis Garcia from the Nats for any reasonable return.
India and Massey aren’t expensive enough to where I see a point in letting them both walk. If 2B were KC’s only issue, maybe, but it ain’t.
Massey is a no risk tender for KC. He won’t make much to be a back-up. Gotta cut bait with India and sign a starting 2nd baseman.
There’s not a better starting 2nd baseman on the market…
They should definitely trade for Brendan Donovan and be done with it. Nice player. Could be their leadoff hitter as well.
Better hurry because otherwise some other team is going to beat you to the punch.
Maybe add nootbar and romero too. The royals and cards pair up well. As a cards fan it would be nice to also see those guys when I go to kc every year
I don’t doubt the Cardinals would trade Donovan to KC, but who are you giving up?
Bloom wants the best talent available. I don’t Gavin Cross is your to work.
Nothing against Cross. Royals and their fans were no doubt hoping better progress from him.
Cross is going to work. Sorry about that.
I will try this again.
I don’t think Cross is going to work.
(Sorry about the bad sentences, I’m not very good at this.)
Non tender both and give Nick Lofton a solid shot at second. He was a 2nd round pick in 2020 and hasn’t gotten an extend chance to prove himself in the bigs.
Don’t hate that idea. Although you need a backup too, and that’s what Loftin is right now, so then you still need a 2B. But I agree he should get a shot.
Are you thinking a time share with Loftin/Massey?
Royal will need a bat somewhere. OF? It is a definite puzzle for KC.
Frank White.
They keep Massey and re-sign Adam Frasier/use him as the starting 2B. He hit very well last year and played great defense. And would only cost $2-$3M. He can also play the outfield on days Massey plays 2B.
Get Jett.