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Why Cincinnati Reds most important signing of winter might be Jonathan India extension

gordon wittenmyer, cincinnati enquirer
·4 min read
Jonathan India
Jonathan India

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — If the Cincinnati Reds are going to follow through on their big plans this season, Jonathan India figures to be a big part of that.

So getting a two-year deal done Friday for the 2021 Rookie of the Year to avoid this week’s scheduled arbitration hearing — a contentious process that often leads to hard feelings — might turn out to be one of the most important signings of the offseason for the Reds.

“We had a fundamental disagreement on a one-year deal; that’s why we ended up filing to go to a (hearing),” team president Nick Krall said as the Reds opened spring training in Arizona on Tuesday. “Being able to find a two-year deal that works for both parties is great.

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“I don’t want to take someone to arbitration just to prove a point,” Krall added. “There’s no reason to prove a point. He’s a good guy and a good player, and being able to resolve that is a good thing.”

In addition to what he provides in production on the field, India has been an emotional linchpin and strong clubhouse influence during the Reds rise toward surprising contention last year.

Jonathan India, left, was as important in the Reds' clubhouse last season as he was on the field. "He’s a good guy and a good player, and being able to resolve that (his contract) is a good thing,” Reds president Nick Krall said.
Jonathan India, left, was as important in the Reds' clubhouse last season as he was on the field. "He’s a good guy and a good player, and being able to resolve that (his contract) is a good thing,” Reds president Nick Krall said.

That investment in teammates was admittedly part of what was behind needing a day to regroup when he got blindsided by his name being raised in a trade rumor last July for the first time in his career.

He is in a much better place these days, he says, even as rumors arose again the first month or two of the offseason, and he and his fiancee welcomed a first child three weeks ago.

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“He gets on base. He grinds out toughness,” Krall said. “He exudes toughness out there. You look at some of the stuff he’s gone through, how he grinds through playing every day when he’s hurt; he sets a really good example. He’s a lead-by-example guy. He’s a guy that you want on your team — a tremendous guy, a tremendous player.”

India’s deal guarantees $8.8 million over the next two seasons after the sides failed to close a one-year negotiation gap that left the team filing a $3.2 million arbitration figure and India filing at $4 million.

The club follows what has become the prevailing policy among MLB teams of shutting down negotiations over the one-year deal and preparing for a hearing once the deadline for filing arbitration figures is reached.

As with other clubs, the Reds will make exceptions for multiyear talks — which, in this case, began soon after last month’s arb-filing deadline was reached.

India, who has missed significant time because of injuries each of the past two seasons, makes base salaries of $3.8 million this year and $5 million in 2025.

The Reds and Jonathan India's camp began discussing a multi-year deal shortly after figures were filed for arbitration. India will make $3.8 million this season and $5 million in 2025 on his new deal.
The Reds and Jonathan India's camp began discussing a multi-year deal shortly after figures were filed for arbitration. India will make $3.8 million this season and $5 million in 2025 on his new deal.

Last season, he missed six weeks late in the season with a case of plantar fasciitis, and he's still building strength and endurance as he enters camp following the healing process.

India, a second baseman who's expected to play more outfield this season because of the Reds' glut of talented infielders, can earn up to $11.05 million over the two years if he reaches all of the workload and performance bonuses in his contract.

They include $400,000 in additional 2025 salary for reaching each of four playing-time thresholds: 400 plate appearances (or 98 games started), 450 PA (or 111 GS), 500 PA (or 124 GS) and 550 PA (or 137 GS) — plus a $450,000 bonus for reaching 600 PA (or 150 GS).

He also has bonuses tied to All-Star selection and Silver Slugger and MVP voting.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why Jonathan India's two-year contract a big deal for Cincinnati Reds