The Reds have been busy over the past couple of weeks, with much of the focus going towards the starting rotation and bullpen. Now, the Cincinnati Reds have added a bat to their deep, young core in veteran infielder Jeimer Candelario. Here’s a look at Candelario’s 2023 campaign.
Related: What We Learned at the 2023 Winter Meetings
A Look at Candelario
It wouldn’t be hyperbole to suggest that Jeimer Candelario was arguably the most productive third baseman in the National League during the first half of 2023.
The 30-year-old hit .261/.337/.478 with 13 home runs and 42 extra-base hits over the first half of 2023 with the Nationals and entered the All-Star break with the league’s fifth-best wOBA (.349) among third basemen, behind Isaac Paredes, Jose Ramirez, Nolan Arenado, and Josh Jung.
Candelario’s power bat, coupled with good discipline at the plate and solid defense made the ex-Tiger a popular trade target in July. Washington did cash in at the Deadline, as the Nationals traded Candelario for a package that included left-hander DJ Herz.
His numbers with the Cubs were not as strong, as he owned a .763 OPS through 41 games and missed time on the IL. Still, Candelario belted a career-high 22 home runs just one year after he was non-tendered by the Tigers.
Offensively, Candelario is a pull-leaning, strong fastball hitter who batted .304 (.402 wOBA) with 11 home runs and 39 extra-base hits against fastballs this past season. However, his numbers — .170 AVG, .269 wOBA, 32.9% Whiff% rate — against breaking balls from 2023 were not impressive.
He does generally stay disciplined at the plate, which does help Candelario draw a fair amount of walks. The 30-year-old also hit double-digits in hit-by-pitches in 2021 and 2023.
Defensively, Candelario can play first and third. He’s generally been regarded by metrics as a decent third baseman with fine range. But, Candelario ranked in the 22nd percentile in arm strength this past season per Statcast.
Per ESPN, the Reds agreed to a three-year, $45M deal with Candelario. Interestingly enough, the Nationals — Candelario’s team for most of 2023 — agreed to bring in former Reds infielder Nick Senzel on a one-year deal.
Analysis
The addition of Candelario does give the Reds a power-hitting corner infielder, which might sound odd to some given the presence of Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Spencer Steer, Noelvi Marte, and MI/3B Elly De La Cruz.
However, Candelario (118 wRC+ against RHP) is a switch-hitter — someone who can give the Reds some protection against righties given that the Reds have several right-handed hitting infielders already on the team. Cincinnati hitters handled righties mostly well in 2023, as the Reds finished with the tenth-best OBP (.325) and wOBA (.324) but also the 18th-best wRC+ (97).
Candelario’s above-average power could play well in a hitter-friendly environment.
Nonetheless, the addition of another infielder likely won’t quell trade rumors surrounding Jonathan India. The 2021 NL Rookie of the Year isn’t on the market per se — at least according to Reds management — but India’s been a popular trade target thanks to his controllability, ability to hit and get on base, and the Reds’ need for starting pitching.