Jeimer Candelario is headed back to Chicago. The Cubs announced they acquired the switch-hitting third baseman from the Nationals for prospects DJ Herz and Kevin Made. The Cubs had an open 40-man roster spot after outrighting Edwin Ríos yesterday.
Candelario was one of the best rental hitters on the market after a strong four months in Washington. It was exactly what the Nats had envisioned when signing him to a one-year, $5MM free agent contract last winter.
Originally signed by the Cubs as an amateur more than a decade ago, Candelario made his big league debut with Chicago. His first stint on the North Side was short-lived. He played in five games in 2016 and 11 more the following season before being dealt to the Tigers in the Justin Wilson trade, as the Cubs pushed in young talent for veterans while trying to defend their World Series title.
Candelario got his first extended run down the stretch in Detroit and was an everyday player by the following season. He was a below-average regular for the first two years but took a significant step forward in 2020. Candelario carried that over a full schedule the following season, when he led the majors in doubles. Between those two seasons, he hit .278/.356/.458 in more than 800 trips to the plate.
As was the case for essentially everyone in the Detroit lineup, things fell apart in 2022. Candelario slumped to a .217/.272/.361 line over 124 games. The Tigers non-tendered him in lieu of paying around $7MM for his final season of arbitration eligibility. While it’s a move Detroit probably wishes they had back in hindsight, the subsequent $5MM free agent deal indicates the market didn’t value Candelario as a $7MM player just a few months ago.
The 29-year-old has certainly elevated his stock since that point. He has more or less regained his 2020-21 form. Candelario hit .258/.342/.481 through 419 plate appearances with Washington. He connected on 16 homers and 30 doubles, ranking fifth in the majors in the latter category. He’s walking at a roughly average 8.6% clip against a decent 21% strikeout rate.
Candelario has been better from the left side of the plate this season, a departure from his early-career work. He’d typically fared better against southpaws but now has similar platoon splits overall. Since the start of 2020, he’s a .253/.334/.438 hitter against right-handed pitching and owns a .256/.330/.437 line versus lefties. That well-rounded offensive production adds to a Chicago lineup built mostly on strong depth as opposed to impact talent aside from Cody Bellinger.
While his profile has mostly been built on offense, Candelario has also gotten solid reviews from public metrics for his third base defense this year. Defensive Runs Saved has pegged him two runs above par in 834 1/3 innings of hot corner work, while Statcast has estimated him as four runs above average. Candelario had gotten mixed to below-average marks throughout his time in Detroit but should at least be a solid gloveman in Chicago.
He has some experience at first base as well but hasn’t played anywhere aside from third since 2020. The Cubs could plug him in at either spot but will presumably use him more often at the hot corner. Nick Madrigal, Patrick Wisdom, Christopher Morel and Miles Mastrobuoni have been part of a revolving door at the position. Morel has raked but isn’t a good defender. Wisdom hits for power but doesn’t consistently put the ball in play; Madrigal has the opposite profile. Candelario is the most balanced of the group.
It’s a modest financial addition for Chicago. Candelario is due around $1.67MM in salary through year’s end. He’d tack on another $200K in incentives if he reaches 600 plate appearances, though that’s also fairly modest. As calculated by Roster Resource, the Cubs have a luxury tax number a bit north of $228MM.
That’s a little less than $5MM shy of the $233MM base threshold. It had seemed the Cubs were trending towards staying below that mark and selling away veteran pieces, but a recent eight-game win streak completely changed the calculus. The addition of one of the top rental hitters available affirms their status as buyers, which had already become clear when they took Bellinger off the trade market yesterday. They also added some middle relief depth tonight in acquiring José Cuas from Kansas City and figure to look for more impactful bullpen upgrades in the next 24 hours.
Candelario’s time in Washington proved fruitful for both parties. He revitalized his stock and now looks positioned for a much more lucrative free agent trip. He’ll be one of the top hitters available in a below-average class for bats. The Nats never seemed likely to issue him a qualifying offer, but the trade officially takes that off the table. Players dealt midseason are ineligible for the QO, so Candelario will hit the market unencumbered by draft compensation.
The club adds a pair of players to a continually improving farm system. Made, 20, is a right-handed hitting shortstop from the Dominican Republic. He didn’t appear on Chicago’s midseason top 30 prospects at Baseball America but ranked 19th on the organizational list at FanGraphs. The outlet credited the 5’9″ infielder with roughly average tools and suggested he has an outside shot to be an everyday shortstop. He’s hitting .240/.328/.355 over 300 plate appearances with High-A South Bend. He hit just three homers there but walked at a solid 10% clip against a lower than average 18% strikeout rate.
Herz, 22, has gotten 14 starts with Double-A Tennessee. The former eighth-round pick owns a 3.97 ERA across 59 innings, striking out an excellent 30.4% of opponents but walking 14% of batters faced. He was 19th among Cubs’ prospects at Baseball America and 22nd at FanGraphs. He sits in the low 90s with his fastball and has an excellent changeup, but the obvious control woes lead most evaluators to point to a bullpen future. There’s little harm for the Nats in letting him continue to start in the minors. Herz and Made will have to go on the 40-man roster this offseason to stay out of the Rule 5 draft.
It’s the first of likely multiple deadline deals for the rebuilding Nats. Candelario was their most obvious trade chip. Middle reliever Kyle Finnegan could be on the move as well. Washinton’s top realistic trade piece would be outfielder Lane Thomas, though it remains to be seen how eager they are to deal him.
Michael Cerami and David Kaplan of Bleacher Nation reported the Cubs and Nationals were in discussions about Candelario. Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic first reported Candelario was being traded to Chicago. Cerami was first with Herz and Made going back to Washington.
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.
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3rd Base and a big bat
Of all the Cubs pitching prospects Herz was the least objectionable. The guy is either lights out or a complete bust. I’m guessing they couldn’t get him to change his motion to a more repeatable one. Good luck to Wash to get that done. Made is a decent prospect but probably passed up this year by Shaw, Rivera and Valdez. Wonder if they resign him? As of right now he would still be their best player to man 3rd next year.
He’s Rule 5 eligible this offseason. I don’t think they were going to protect him. It’s really not a loss for them.
If he was around I think they would have. The Rule 5 -40 man shuffling should start getting interesting every year moving forward. Last year it was easy they had a bunch cannon fodder. This year will be more interesting.
Is THAT who the Nats think will play third next year — a 20-year- old hitting .230 in A ball? Happy for Jeimer to be joining a club that thinks they have a shot at the playoffs, but I don’t understand the supposed “automaticness” of this move. Candelario is at his peak, and should be good for 2-3 more years of high return, at least. Since the Nats have no one capable of playing quality third base, why not try to sign the guy? That’s as good a gamble as letting him go — and hurting your current ballclub — for a couple of dubious low minor-leaguers. There’s nothing wrong with trying to win while you continue to rebuild. Pfffffft!
Dude, chill. Candelario is a free agent at the end of the season, so if the Nats wanted to bet on his production for the next 2-3 years they’d have to join the bidding for it on the open market ($$). And doing that made no sense because they have Brady House, a former 1st round pick who is currently putting up a 140 wRC+ in AA ball while playing premier defense at third base. Before they get to Made (who’s a SS, but hey) they have two somewhat promising minor league options (Jake Alu and Brad Lipscomb) to go with a guy they just drafted (Yohandy Morales) at the top of the 2nd round who was rated as a mid-1st rounder going into the draft and signed for an overslot deal. They’re so deep at 3b that there is already speculation that Morales, whose glove is good but not as good as House’s, may shift to 1b.
He was terrible for the Tigers last year as both a fielder and hitter. Hopefully the Cubs continue to see the 2023 version. And hopefully they didn’t give up much.
Resign for a reasonable cost after at least a try out in local circumstances. One less thing to worry about, if it is an improvement.
Best bat rental bat that was out there
I’m waiting to hear what it costs!
Guessing Killian, Canario, or Herz.
Herz and Made. Not bad.
Neither one of them were going anywhere with the Cubs. They still might in DC, but so worth the risk for the Cubs right now.
Don’t like including Herz. He’s been throwing pretty decent in July.
Not sure I like losing Herz, but you have to give to get and Mike Rizzo can drive a hard bargain.
Idk. Cubs should have sold high on bellinger and possibly stroman.
But good for Cubs and Cubs fans.
If they did then their might have been more Trades on Weekend and some in the morning today but at least 6pm tomorrow but Midnight would be better,
Good for other NL central teams in long term. Good for Cubs fans. They can take division. And buying. Fans should be excited.
Cubs are going for it. Good for them. Very weak division.
Go Cubs Go
Hopefully a minor ‘going for it’. Making moves but not going for the more expensive trade targets.
This guy sucks. His stats scream below average desperation move
His stats are pretty good.
…and he is a WAY better defender at third than his reputation. Late bloomer. He’s been a total rock all year. I miss him already.
Third best 3B in baseball this year by fWAR. Dude’s having a fantastic year, and good on the Cubs to take advantage of that.
And while Candelario was awful last year, he was really good in 2020 and 2021. So it’s looking like 2022 was just a bad/outlier year and this is who he is.
Found the guy that still just looks at batting average.
His batting average isn’t even that bad.
Uneducated
Which status scream desperation? Enlighten us oh wise one.
BA, HR, RBI,
Exactly who in Washington was he supposed to drive in, Dom Smith??
His 46 Xtra base hits is considerably better then any cub
He is rubber and you are glue
Lol.
Next time you decide to have an opinion, don’t.
Who knew they were in the 3B market? Huh.
I’d assume that either him or Wisdom will play 1B
Bellinger is playing 1B.
I’d prefer to see Candelario at 1st, Bellinger in CF and Tauchman to platoon with Suzuki in RF.
Wisdom is just an awful defender. He can hit a bit but he can’t play defense at all.
Back in Chicago! Good luck, Candy!
Mervis please
It’s not gonna be Mervis. I heard Kevin Made and DJ Herz
Not a bad haul for a 1 year show me contract if that’s the case.
NL Central gonna be a fun 3 way.
Three ways certainly can be fun.
It’s always nice to disappoint 2 girls at the same time
disturbing that you are going to disappoint two girls and not two women..
You usually just disappoint men
Full circle back where it began
There goes Patrick Wisdom’s pathetic comeback
He gone
Wisdom was striking out way too much, and wasn’t even cranking homeruns at a good pace, 40% strikeout rate, or around that just isn’t going to cut it.
On a side note, Jeimer Candelario and the Cubs have come full circle. He was traded in 2017 for Alex Avila at the trade deadline if memory serves me correctly.
I think they got Justin Wilson in that deal, who was just awful for the Cubs that year.
Both Justin Wilson and Alex Avila. I don’t think either of them worked out all that great.
It was Alex Avila and Justin Wilson for Candelario and Isaac Paredes (now of TB).
Wilson was really disappointing in 2017 with the Cubs but was fine in 2018.
Avila was a bit of a panic signing for the Cubs after Miguel Montero was shipped out mid-season for creating clubhouse tension after publicly blaming Arrieta for failing to hold runners on first base.
You’re correct thank you for telling the whole story, had forgotten about the whole Miguel Montero incident with Arrieta.
Herz and Made seems steep for him but they’re expendable
Didn’t Candelario come up with the Cubs? I feel like he did.
Yep, 2016 debut with Cubbies.
Yup. Traded to Detroit for Alex Avila and Justin Wilson I believe.
He did. You sent him to Detroit for Justin Wilson and Alex Avila, I believe. He strikes out a lot and though he is not a Dr. Strangeglove, he’s no Don Wert either,
Wow! Seldom hear the name of Don Wert invoked. Nice to be reminded.
Cubs sent Paredes, too. He would look even better at third. Oh, well…
Wow, a Don Wert reference !
Wow, Cubbies. ! For sure they make more gate fees, Concessions, Merchandise, by trying to win. And with two full months now instead of one , for the trade deadline. It makes sense for the middling teams to proclaim contention to the fans. Not to mention in the old system, Sept call-ups were also a cool way to gain fan engagement by bringing up the kids for Next Season. Now with the rosters constricted to a few extra players, can’t do that anymore. Maybe 2 or 3.
Nice move Cubs
May the best team come out of the central
I just don’t know how this pushes the needle here. Wisdom has been graded as the far better hitter according to advanced metrics. Candelario is a great defender, but Madrigal has played a great 3B defensively for this team. If they gave away anything of long-term worth, this is odd, to say the least.
They didn’t give away as much as I thought, point withstanding.
Wisdom has not graded out as better than Candy. Mainly due to his 40% K rate
“Far better” was a stretch on my part, but Wisodom’s .XwOBA is higher than Candelario’s (which is what teams usually look at when evaluating hitters in 2023). Does Wisdowm strike out a ton? Yes, but the power and barrel rate is undeniable. They seem to have a DH space available so, in function, not a horrible pickup for the Cubs here.
Candelario’s bat alone is better than what Wisdom brings to the table, 37% strikeout rate, OBP under 300, and although batting average isn’t looked at as much, he can’t even hit in the low 200s. It’s going to move the needle.
So many things wrong with this comment.
This is what happens when you get too caught up in advanced stats without watching the game. As I said with Bellinger, his hard contact, exit velo, etc are way down but Bellinger cut down on his swing with two strikes, he strikes out a lot less and takes what the defense is giving him. He’s been a great two stroke situational hitter while still providing power and speed on the bases.
Wisdom never gets cheated, he’s 100% in every swing and misses a ton in the zone. When he makes contact, it’s hard, his exit velo and hard contact at the upper part of the league but he doesn’t make enough contact and also hits the ball right at people.
People can live and die on “hard contact” but I’m curious if “hard contact” leads to better batting average on balls in play?
I don’t see the point of this. Aside from this year, this guy is very average, probably even less than average. Cubs aren’t in a position to buy anyway and nor does this substantially help them.
And his underlying stats suggest he’s having a season on par with his career averages…
He led the league in doubles a couple/few years ago. Pretty average, I mean….
“Aside from this year”. This is the year the Cubs are making the trade for…not last or next. I guess you haven’t watched the revolving door of Wisdom, Mastrobuoni and Madrigal at 3B all year. Of course, it’s not Arenado or anything resembling him–but it’s an upgrade, for two months—-
My bad, I admit, he’s better than I thought when I glanced at the stats.
Cubs are only buying this year. He’s a rental.
Cubs are definitely in a place to buy in a weak Central. 4 games out and closer than that to a WC spot.
Any 128 OPS+ and 4+ WAR player substantially helps the team they play for.
Kind of a tough spot. 2 teams ahead of them in the division, 4 or 5 teams ahead in wild card. It’s not a sure thing. I would’ve sold. If they’re buyers, they need more than Candelelairo to get them to succeed.
Weak Central but they’re still behind and have barely ticked above .500 all season. And forget about wild card.
They play those teams in the division so they control their own fate.
Every single year teams come from further behind to make the playoffs. Some seasons more than one does. So your pessimism is unfounded.
Get a grip.
Unfounded? People were saying this about the Sox last year and we flopped. I just don’t feel the Cubs have the team to catch up. They haven’t all season and a couple minot moves won’t make them better.
I actually thought Cubs would be good early on but they have continued to flop and will until I see them consistently above .500.
Let me repeat the key phrase.
Every single year a team comes from further back to make the playoffs. Every. Single. Year. And sometimes more than one team.
Jeimer is 25% better than the player he is replacing on that roster. He should add 1.5 wins over the next 2 months. So he WILL make them better.
So please. Try that doom bs on someone that doesn’t understand baseball because I know it’s complete garbage.
Okay, we will see. You’re extra hopeful. I’m literally being realistic with all the other teams in front of them.
Teams have come back, you are right but the Cubs just have a LOT of obstacles. I’m not trying to be the pessimist, I’m being realistic.
This is a good investment if they have any chance of getting there, I just don’t think it’s enough.
But if you want to be borderline disrespectful to me about how I feel, more power to you. Time will tell.
They’re gonna need more than 1.5 extra wins to get anywhere
You are the pessimist. The Cubs are trying to be optimists. Let’s have fun finding out who was right. And as I post, the Reds just nicked ’em by one run in Wrigley. But there are fans galore, making a lot of noise!
Well, I guess I have to hand it to you. Season isn’t over yet but the Cubs have jumped out of nowhere and are close to a playoff spot. I’m one to admit when I’m wrong. I wish them the best if they do make it, which seems plausible with a weak NL Central.
Gnats are weird!
For what? Why would they keep this guy lmao
Well, because they have no heir apparent at third base. Candelario is only 29 and seems to have hit his stride. It would be totally understandable if the Nats had a farm producing talent like the Reds or Orioles — but that is not the case. Get ready for the latest return from the dead of Carter Kieboom. Ugh.
I just haven’t seen them break 5 games over .500 yet., Reds and Brewers look like better teams right now.
Do you follow the Nats at all? Carter Kieboom is basically irrelevant. At 3b the Nats have Brady House, a top MLB prospect, along with Jake Alu, Brad Lipscomb, and recent draftee Yohandy Morales. They’ll miss Candelario for the next two months but they won’t be trying to sign him when he hits free agency after that.
If the reds and brewers are such better teams, why do the cubs have a substantially better run differential than both? The reds starting pitching is terrible, and the brewers offense is anemic. No one is running away with the division.
Brady house has moved full time to 3b. Wouldn’t be surprised at all if he is in the bigs next year. If not, they can throw Alu or Vargas in there for a season. But your suggestion was to re-sign Candy? No chance man lol
Now the Marlins can come get DeJong. I already have a trade agreed to by another Marlins fan Mike Stanton bobblehead and a bag of popcorn.
lol. Yep.
First thought was wow. Second was gotta be happy if you’re a cubs fan. Gonna be fun baseball this year. Last was too bad reds winning that division
They probably should have sold, but good luck.
Who better for a rental than Herz?
I don’t fault the Cubs for trying and not throwing in the towel with two months left. At the same time, this seems like a good year to tool up just a little more for a better long-term shot at competing.
Then again, maybe they didn’t think they’d get good enough prospects for Stroman and Bellinger, and figured it’s best
Word on the the street is that Kevin made the dj hurt.
The Cubs think they are contenders lol. That’s cute.
I hope Candelario is worth this level of prospects. Both guys were top-20 prospects in the organization.
But, those stats looked bad. I thought it was a nothing (prospects) for almost nothing deal.
Chad-Both guys were top 20 prospects who are probably passed up by Wiggins and Shaw and Rivera in the next top 30 list. So Bring in the new and out with the old. Cubs have been releasing a bunch of career Minor Leaguer’s lately. Ball, Artis, Wick, and others. I’m still amazed Davis is still in the top 30. Why? Plus the Cubs already knew Candelario.
Davis is still a prospect when healthy but that has been a problem.
I understand that Made was blocked by several guys. I’m just concerned about Herz being the next Cease.
Even if he is the Cubs have 5 better guys to be the next Cease, And it’s the cost of getting the guy you want. I would of preferred they took a shot at Ryan McMahon, But hey they got something so I’m happy.
I don’t know what a “top 20 prospect in an organization” is anymore. The people that rank this stuff don’t even agree.
See that, Harris! You could have gotten a solid prospect and a lottery ticket if you had just given on the $1MM difference. Nooooo! You had to cut him!
Harris didn’t NT Candelario for the million. It was because it was clear that he was not going to be their third baseman when they were contending. He wanted to give those PAs to guys who were cheap, had years of control, and might develop into better players. If this is all the Nats got back for Candy then I think that risk was worth it even if it arguably didn’t pay off for the tigers.
OK—let’s play the guessing game—whose spot does he take on the 25 man roster. I’m not denting the bullpen so I will go there with a dark horse guess—Tucker Barnhart.
This also throws Wisdom (and Barnhart) into possibilities with anything happening over the next 23 hours.
Mancini, Wisdom and Barnhart should all be on their way out. I really wish all three guys would’ve panned out, but none have. Wisdom has shown flashes of tremendous power, but he strikes out way too much and doesn’t fit this teams offensive approach. And, his defense has went off a cliff this season.
Mancini has been dreadful most of the season, and one could argue he’s not getting enough at bats to find his groove, but he has become completely expendable on this club already. Same for Barnhart with the emergence of Amaya.
fear—Mancini went right over my head—that’s probably even the better choice knowing the Cubs philosophy on three catchers. I still wouldn’t be hurt if it’s Barnhart.
The most agonizing moment of the season was Mancini dropping the four foot toss in London and within moments the 4-0 lead was gone — and Stroman’s season completed shifted (blister inclusion here).
Mancini at first base (tonight) is a gut check every throw in the infield.
Someone coming up with a phantom injury?
You mean someone getting “J-Heyed”? LoL
Wisdom- Ba Bye. It’s a no brainer.
cubs reacquiring a former player i guess they are not liking madrigal at 3b
It appears they think that Candy provides them enough of Madrigal’s defense along with enough of Wisdom’s power. The 2023 Candy is that guy. Sorry like hell to see him go, but hope it works out for him. Good dude. Hustle player, always alert.
Cubs should still trade stroman imo
just wondering does Dave Dombrowski know it’s the trade deadline or is he doing something else? does he know that the deadline is 6:00 p.m. tomorrow or is he think it was like 3 weeks ago or something you can’t make a deal now I don’t know
And Pete Crow-Armstrong just promoted to AAA. Just saw in play in-person and just another stud NYM let get away. Love it!
I was hoping the Cubbies wanted Torres back
The mighty Cashman strikes out yet again……. He was saving his bucks for Big Sexy, but in his mid 40s he would rather retire than play on this team….
I don’t love the return the Guardians got in return for Civale but at least they recognized that even being in contention doesn’t mean your team is good enough for a real run at the World Series unlike the Cubs. Feels short sighted but good for Cubs fans in the short term I guess.
Well, the Marlins didn’t get Jeimer. Who’s next on their radar?
Back to the Theo era of hopes and prayers
A for NATS. A lot of question marks but a lot of upside for a rental bat. A solid ss. Skill set better than results. Young and inexperienced enough to get better. Arm screams reliever but could be a good one. Maybe they continue improving control.
C for Cubs. Paid market price. Probably didn’t think they could get much more development wise. Got a good in demand bat.
Actually is N for Nats
Washington won the trade
Thanks Dragon—it’s always good to know the winner within 45 minutes. Now we don’t have to watch for the next six years. Appreciate the help.
Now see if Hader is available.
Nice. Didn’t give up a top ten prospect either. Hope this means a lot lot LOT less of Patrick Wisdom going forward.
Pretty good price for the cubs. Candelario is a decent bat and they give up a pitcher with some stuff but very bad control who is likely a reliever and a middle infielder who has solid plate discipline but likely not enough impact to start every day. At best the nats probably get a reliever and a utility guy.
But for the Nats it’s not terrible either. Candelario is a solid bat but limited defensively and rental corner bats don’t command a lot in trades and while those guys don’t have a ton of upside the nats do need organizational depth and if they indeed get two major leaguers out of them even if it is a bench bat and a low leverage reliever that would be fine.
What goes around comes around. It’s pretty crowded at 3B and 1B now on the northside of Chicago. There’s a decent chance that Patrick Wisdom or Nick Madrigal could be moved by tomorrow’s deadline. The Cubs are still interested in acquiring a southpaw for their bullpen.
Speaking of what goes around comes around, how about Madrigal back to the White Sox for Aaron Bummer? Madrigal could get back to 2B where he profiles best while Bummer could benefit from better infield defense with the Cubs.
Steve Stone absolutely slammmmeedd Madrigal when the Sox traded him to the Cubs. I’d love to see Madrigal back with the Sox and hear ol Steve, backtrack.
This means that someone is going in another deal, Madrigal or Wisdom is going somewhere now my guess is Wisdom
Hopefully he doesn’t revert back to his Detroit days of last year……
So the Nats are going to get a Made man.
A real wiseguy!
Just for good measure we threw in Marcus Stroman LMAO
Does Alu start at 3b for Nats now?
In his presser after today’s game Dave Martinez said that he was going to meet with Mike Rizzo after the game and make a decision.