Cincinnati Reds and Former Rookie of the Year Headed to Arbitration

According to reports, the Cincinnati Reds and infielder Jonathan India are headed to arbitration over the difference of $800,000.

According to reports, the Cincinnati Reds and infielder Jonathan India are headed to arbitration over the difference of $800,000. 

Per Gordan Wittemeyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer:

India, who’s represented by agent Scott Boras, filed a $4 million salary figure; the Reds, $3.2 million. After each side makes its case in a hearing, a three-person arbitration panel must decide which of the two will be India’s 2024 salary.

It’s India’s first winter of arbitration eligibility, and the inability to reach agreement with the club comes less than six months after the 2021 Rookie of the Year was blindsided by reports of trade talks involving his name.

Despite those trade rumors involving India, he hasn't moved yet. The Reds are loaded with a surplus of infielders which prompted the rumors, but they appear content to make it all work at this point in the offseason.

The 27-year-old India won the Rookie of the Year award in 2021 but has not been as good in each successive year. He hit .269 with 21 homers in 2021 while posting a .376 on-base percentage. He played just 103 games in 2022, hitting .249 with 10 homers. This past year, he played 119 games, hitting .244 with a .338 on-base percentage. He had 17 home runs.

If India stays with the Reds, he figures to be part of a very good team. Cincinnati went 82-80 last season and missed the playoffs, but armed with some of the best young talent in baseball, they'll be a trendy pick heading into 2024.

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