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18 minutes ago
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The Kansas City Royals decided to avoid the drama.
Rather than go to salary arbitration with Jonathan India, they just agreed to a contract on Friday.
India got a one-year, $8 million deal, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
There was a question of whether India would be non-tendered, but the Royals decided to bring him back after a down year.
India hit .233 with a .346 slugging percentage in 2025 across 136 games played.
He hit just nine homers and didn't steal a single base.
His walk and strikeout rates were improved, though, so there might be some belief that India can turn things around.
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The Royals were essentially deciding on one season. India will be a free agent at the end of the 2026 season.
This Friday decision was made in lieu of India being a high-profile non-tendered player. If the Royals had non-tendered India, he would've entered into free agency right now. They also could've chosen to go to arbitration with him, but that process is sometimes more trouble than it's worth.
The Royals would probably like India to be a top-of-the-order bat for them, but at this point, they'd likely settle for a slight rebound that makes him a useful contact hitter in the bottom half of the order.
Regardless of what happens, the Royals know they'll have India on their roster for the 2026 season.
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