Former NL Rookie of the Year Agreed to Terms On a Two-Year Contract

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.