India's arrival could shake up defense

This story was excerpted from Anne Rogers' Royals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

KANSAS CITY -- Jonathan India is a self-proclaimed simple guy, so when he got a late-night call that he had been traded to the Royals in November, he didn’t have too much of a reaction.

He was in Italy, after all, and it was late there.

“I was in Italy, so I was thinking about Italy,” India said on Saturday.. “I’m not thinking about, ‘Oh, am I going to be nervous about it?’ I was with my family. I got the call, said, ‘OK, thank you,’ put the phone down and went to sleep. That’s how I am. I’m a very simple guy. I don’t stress about anything. I’m just blessed to be in this position to help a team win.”

With his laid-back personality, India seems to be fitting in with his new teammates, many of whom he met for the first time this past weekend at Royals Rally.

“It’s a great group of guys,” India said. “... I’ve heard it’s a great group of fans. I’ve heard they really show out for the team. Now that we had a winning year last year, I heard [the attendance] is going to be great this year. I’m excited to see the energy here.”

India is tasked with setting the tone at the top of the lineup, getting on base ahead of Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez so the offense can see improved production.

Where the Royals fit India into their infield puzzle is something they’ll figure out in Spring Training.

General manager J.J. Picollo has been upfront about the Royals’ acquisition of India and how it was an offensive-minded decision, with the lineup desperately needing a reliable on-base hitter at the top of the lineup.

“We have more what we would call everyday players right now with the addition of India than we did last year,” Picollo said. “So it’s going to take time to figure out all the positions. Which is different for us, because we’ve always valued the defense. This is one time where we said, ‘You know what, our team really needs a shot in the arm at the top of the lineup, and we’ll figure out the defense.’”

India said his conversations with the Royals about where he’ll play have mainly been about second and third base, but he’s going to try left field in the spring and see how he handles it. Second baseman Michael Massey is also going to get reps in left field this spring. Infielder Maikel Garcia will see some time in center field this spring and could be a potential option to play out there as a right-handed-hitting platoon partner for Kyle Isbel, opening up third base for India.

India has played only second base in the Majors, but he played third in the Minors and at the University of Florida. He never has played in the outfield.

“I’m athletic; I know I can do it,” India said. “I’m going to get some work in Spring Training, see how it goes.”

The Royals will have a lot of moving parts this spring to see what’s the best fit for all their options around the field. It seems like everyone -- India included -- is ready to increase their versatility.

“That’s what’s come through to me, is the selflessness, the willingness to do whatever,” manager Matt Quatraro said of India. “And he’s reiterated a million times already, just in the few months, that, ‘I just want to win.’ That’s what’s been exciting about that. … We’re going to move guys around as we do and see how it looks the best.”