Jonathan India Secures Two-Year, $8.8 Million Deal with Cincinnati Reds
Agreement avoids arbitration
Cincinnati Reds' second baseman, Jonathan India, and the team have reached an agreement on a two-year, $8.8 million contract, successfully sidestepping an arbitration hearing scheduled for next week.
The contract outlines a payment of $3.8 million for the current year, followed by $5 million in 2025. Notably, the deal includes additional incentives, with $2.05 million in escalators and potential award bonuses.
India's 2025 salary is subject to increase based on plate appearances or games started in 2024. Incremental bumps of $400,000 are tied to achieving milestones such as 400 plate appearances or 98 games, 450 or 111, 500 or 124, and 550 or 137. A further increase of $450,000 is contingent on reaching 600 plate appearances or 150 games.
In addition to performance-based incentives, India stands to earn a $100,000 bonus each season for noteworthy achievements such as making the All-Star team, being a Silver Slugger finalist, or finishing among the top five in MVP voting.
Since being selected fifth overall by Cincinnati in the 2018 amateur draft, India has compiled a .255 batting average, 48 home runs, 171 RBIs, and an impressive on-base percentage of .350 over three seasons. He captured the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2021.
This contract negotiation marks India's first eligibility for arbitration, where he sought a raise from $760,000 to $4 million. The Reds countered with an offer of $3.2 million during last month's exchange of proposed arbitration salaries.
One of the top storylines as the Reds prepare for the start of Spring Training is where India will find playing time. The Reds’ infield features young talents like Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Spencer Steer, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Noelvi Marte, plus the addition of corner infielder Jermer Candelario. Barring a trade, it will be interesting to see how field manager David Bell finds enough at-bats to keep everyone happy.