The Royals acquired India (ankle) and Joey Wiemer in exchange for Brady Singer on Friday.
India enjoyed a strong 2024 season with the Reds while serving as their primary second baseman. However, with Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand back from injury, there was a projected playing time squeeze along Cincinnati's infield. India should immediately slot into the starting second base job with the Royals ahead of Michael Massey, and he could hit near the top of the order given his career .352 OBP.
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Royals' Joey Wiemer: Headed to Kansas City
Rotowire
The Reds traded Wiemer and Jonathan India to the Royals on Friday in exchange for Brady Singer.
Wiemer went just 4-for-26 with nine strikeouts in 21 big-league games played between Milwaukee and Cincinnati last season. His performance in the minors wasn't great either, as he slashed .189/.277/.226 in 119 plate appearances with the Reds' Triple-A affiliate after being traded at the deadline. Once regarded as a top prospect in the Brewers' farm system, the 25-year-old Wiemer will look to turn things around with the Royals, though he will likely report to Triple-A Omaha.
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Royals' Eric Cerantola: Added to 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Royals selected Cerantola from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
Cerantola started 2024 in Double-A Northwest Arkansas, where he held a 2.93 ERA across 24 games (seven starts). He worked exclusively as a reliever at Omaha, posting a 3.77 ERA and 1.49 WHIP across 14.1 innings over 13 appearances. The 24-year old is now protected from the Rule 5 Draft in December.
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Royals' Luinder Avila: Protected from Rule 5 Draft
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The Royals selected Avila from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
Avila made just one appearance for Triple-A Omaha in 2024 but played in 19 games for Double-A Northwest Arkansas, posting a 6-5 record, 3.81 ERA and WHIP of 1.39 across 82.2 innings over 19 appearances at the latter affiliate. The 23-year-old right-hander is now protected from the Rule 5 Draft in December.
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Royals' Noah Cameron: Selected to 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Royals selected Cameron from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
Cameron made nine starts for Triple-A Omaha after beginning the year in Double-A Northwest Arkansas. He posted a 2.32 ERA and 1.02 WHIP across 54.1 innings in Omaha, tallying three wins. The 25-year-old is now shielded from the Rule 5 Draft in December.
Wacha agreed to a three-year, $51 million contract with the Royals on Sunday that includes a $14 million club option for 2028, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The right-hander was expected to decline his $16 million player option for 2025, but Kansas City utilized the exclusive five-day negotiating window after the World Series to secure a new deal. Wacha was a key rotation piece for the Royals during their 2024 resurgence with a 3.35 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 145:45 K:BB over 166.2 innings.
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Royals' Evan Sisk: Added to 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Royals selected Sisk's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
Sisk had been set to hit minor-league free agency, but the Royals will prevent that from happening by adding him to their 40-man roster. The left-handed reliever put up a 1.57 ERA and 81:26 K:BB over 57.1 innings this season at Omaha. Sisk could make his major-league debut during the 2025 season.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Exercises option
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Stratton (forearm) exercised his $4.5 million player option for the 2025 season Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Stratton threw 58.1 innings out of the bullpen for the Royals in 2024, occasionally working in high-leverage situations. He posted a 5.55 ERA and 1.47 WHIP to go along with four saves and five holds. Stratton's season ended in mid-September due to forearm injury, though he is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
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Royals' Hunter Renfroe: Sticking with Royals
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Renfroe exercised his $7.6 million player option for the 2025 season Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
The veteran outfielder began the season as the starting right fielder for the Royals, though his role shrunk after the acquisitions of Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman. Renfroe's primary shortcoming was a lack of power, as he posted a career-low .163 ISO across 424 plate appearances. Pham is entering free agency, which could give Renfroe a shot to start again entering 2025.
