Royals 5-Year Veteran In Danger Of Losing Roster Spot With Deadline Looming
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The Kansas City Royals have more pressing decisions to make than most teams at this moment in time.
Friday's non-tender deadline means very little to some teams, but the Royals have a major decision to make. In fact, there may be more than one decision, but non-tendering versus keeping second baseman Jonathan India is the move with the most potential to swing the Royals' season in either direction.
Just over a year ago, the Royals acquired India in a trade that sent productive starting pitcher Brady Singer to the Cincinnati Reds. But instead of becoming the reliable leadoff hitter they sought, India wound up having his worst offensive season yet in a five-year career, and playing predictably shaky defense.
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India labeled top non-tender candidate
Confirming that India is one of the marquee names on the chopping block, MLB.com's Thomas Harrigan named the 28-year-old on a list of the top non-tender candidates around the league on Friday.
"India won the National League Rookie of the Year Award with 21 homers, an .835 OPS and a 116 OPS+ over 150 games for the Reds in 2021, but he hasn’t been able to return to those heights.
"Traded from Cincinnati to Kansas City last November, the 28-year-old never got on track with his new club and finished with a career-low 89 OPS+ in 136 games. He also had a negative Outs Above Average figure at three different positions: second base (-6), third base (-4) and left field (-3)."
In an odd twist of fate, the Royals' main alternative at second base, Michael Massey, could find himself in non-tender territory as well. India, though, would be much more expensive, as most projections place him around the $7 million mark in what would be his first trip to arbitration after signing a two-year extension with the Reds before the 2024 season.
It won't be long until India learns his fate, and if the Royals drop him, he'd certainly have vengeance on his mind whenever he next faced them.
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Jackson Roberts is a former Division III All-Region DH who now writes and talks about sports for a living. A Bay Area native and a graduate of Swarthmore College and the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, Jackson makes his home in North Jersey. He grew up rooting for the Red Sox, Patriots, and Warriors, and he recently added the Devils to his sports fandom mosaic. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "Kansas City Royals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org
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