The Angels, Diamondbacks and Reds are among the teams that have expressed early interest in Jeimer Candelario, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The Giants are also in the third base mix, per Heyman, although it’s not clear if they’re targeting Candelario specifically.
Arizona is the most straightforward of the three teams. Evan Longoria hit free agency, leaving the Snakes with a third base group headlined by Emmanuel Rivera, Jace Peterson and rookie Jordan Lawlar. The latter is one of the sport’s most talented prospects but has only 30 games above the Double-A level. Neither Rivera nor Peterson bring much to the table offensively, with both having particularly poor second halves.
Candelario would be a clear offensive boost. The switch-hitter combined for a .251/.336/.471 line with 22 home runs in 576 plate appearances between the Nationals and Cubs this year. While a dismal year in 2022 led to a non-tender from the Tigers, Candelario has been an above-average hitter in three of the last four seasons. Going back to 2020, he sports a .254/.329/.437 mark. If Lawlar steps into an everyday role at third base or shortstop (pushing Geraldo Perdomo to the hot corner), Candelario could see action at designated hitter.
That production would also be welcome for the Angels, although their internal options have lengthier track records than do Arizona’s players. The Halos owe Anthony Rendon $114MM over the next three seasons. That could lead the organization to shy away from a notable free agent investment for another third baseman (although Candelario obviously won’t come close to Rendon’s $245MM contract). The Halos have Brandon Drury and Luis Rengifo to split time between second and third base, perhaps taking extra at-bats if Rendon again misses time to injury.
Candelario also has experience at first base, where things are a little unsettled for the Halos. Nolan Schanuel held the job for the final couple months of the season. That he managed a .402 on-base percentage against MLB pitching within weeks of being drafted out of Florida Atlantic is remarkable. Yet Schanuel has all of 22 career minor league games and didn’t provide any kind of power in his first big league look. It’s not out of the question he could require additional time against minor league pitching. The Halos’ outlook at DH, of course, is dependent on the Shohei Ohtani decision.
A match with the Reds would likely be conditional on Cincinnati making a trade. The Reds already have an infield glut. Spencer Steer, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Elly De La Cruz and Noelvi Marte are all in the corner infield mix. Jonathan India and Matt McLain project as the starting middle infield. Cincinnati general manager Nick Krall cited a lack of playing time at first base as a factor in declining their option on Joey Votto, although the $13MM difference between the option value and the buyout was surely the biggest factor.
Starting pitching is the top priority for the Cincinnati front office. That could be accomplished by dealing away a position player. Speaking in generalities, Krall told Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic that the Reds have had conversations about dealing from their talented collection of bats.
What? Makes no sense.
None whatsoever. Po Boy always gets position players when they need pitching.
For real.
I believe the DBacks make the most sense out of this group.
Actually, the Guardians value the Candy man and have deal in place
Yeah I like that fit too! However, I was referring to the teams mentioned in the article.
??? Guards have one of the best third basemen in the business. Ramirez also has signed a long term pact. I doubt the Cleveland baseball team signs Jeimer for first base.
OIC, are you just making things up hoping you’ll luck into a correct guess you can brag about?
Would you just stop trying to push Lawlar as a future 3B. He’s a SS.
“If Lawlar steps into an everyday role at third base or shortstop (pushing Geraldo Perdomo to the hot corner), Candelario could see action at designated hitter.”
Read the second paragraph. This isn’t the first time an MLBTR writer has pushed this garbage.
What’s your issue with the second paragraph?
Pretty simple. You don’t need to read far between the lines to see that suffer doesn’t think Lawlar should be considered a future 3B, and the 2nd paragraph says that he might be.
Plenty of future SS start at 3B to ease the transition. All the second paragraph really suggests is he’s part of the mix there for 2024, it doesn’t touch on the long term. I think saying MLBTR is suggesting he’s a future 3B based on that paragraph alone is inaccurate.
Interested in a 3B, what happens to Rendon (signed thru ’26)? Wash can do many things, but he can’t teach him Spanish.
I can see Candelario a fit for the Angels. He can DH and play 3b the 100 games Rendon misses. I don’t trust Mr. Utility guy Rengifo at the hot corner, where it tends to be the most error position in the game.
It says a lot about the Rendon situation that in early November the Angels are shopping for 3rd basemen.
I didn’t think it could be done, but the Rendon contract is making the Vernon Wells and Gary Matthew’s Jr. contracts look good in comparison.
They should just outright release him to make a statement as an organization.
All i want to hear about from the Angels is signing multiple frontline starters and a closer.
I’d like to hear they’ve been relegated to AAA
Agreed, pitching is crucial, though perhaps Minasian has a plan to rid the team of Rendon.
We do have a closer.
Not during the second half of the season.
He was only good for half the year, though.
Winslow – the Angels need a reliable closer.
Not just a closer. The team needs 6 reliable bullpen pitchers. We have none.
Who is our closer? The guy with a 1.492 whip, and close to 4 ERA.?
That kind of thinking is exactly why the Angels haven’t had a bullpen for the last 15 years.
Reds could trade an infielder and still not have a spot for Candelario. Cincy should be focused on adding pitching, through a trade and free agency. I could see a Sonny Gray reunion and a deal with Cleveland making sense. Guardians have the arms to match up well for a young reds hitter.
I think Sonny Gray makes a ton of sense too. Wade Miley would be a good pickup as well. Like a reunion tour.
The Reds are not going to spend what it takes to get Gray. They will bottom feed in the 3-7 million range. I hope I’m wrong.
Sadly, I have to agree. Po Boy hasn’t shown either the willingness or ability to get established major league talent, especially in the needed pitching department.
Bauer gonna be cheap too. I’m for all 3 honestly.
Reds don’t need an aging .250 hitter. Like the other person said, there’s no room for him even if they traded someone. They should however resign Votto.
No to an aging .250 hitter, yes to an already-aged .200 hitter. Got it
Yes to a Hall of Famer who’s been in the organization since ’02 who can serve in a limited role and continue to be a leader. He won’t take at-bats away from the young guys like Candelario.
Resign him for how much? Seems like that ball is likely in Votto’s court. I could be wrong, but my guess is that they’ve shown interest in a limited role, but he’s got to figure out if it’s worth it for him to hang around in that position. I hope he does. I would much rather see him do that on a potential playoff team than suit up for a random team. Toronto would make sense to him if it’s available.
From Po Boy’s good bye wave statement, I would say the Reds didn’t show any interest.
I just listened to Krall’s interview and would have to agree with you. I read a quote from the end of that interview prior where Krall said he would understand if Votto wanted to sign with a team that could give him the playing time he was looking for. The first part of that interview makes it sound more direct though.
I’d rather the Reds sign no one than sign Candelario. He’ll just takes AB’s from the young guys. They’ll be saddled with another Mike Moustakas contract.
Wrong spot
Reds being interested in Candelario’s market might make sense if they are trying to gauge the value of their own infielders. Reds being interested in acquiring Candelario doesn’t make much sense.
He was one of my best guys to play third more than turner. turner is the quick option but he can play! He would fit perfectly for.the dbacks
Reds make zero sense… they have a ton of potential 3B’s in the majors and in the minors… Marte, Steer, CES, Senzel, with Collier, Stewart and Arroyo in the minors.
Senzel has played his last game in a Reds uni imo…sucks he couldn’t live up to his potential but I’m guessing he’s non tendered
Huh?
Would the Angels convert him to pitch?
I like the thought, but I’m not sure he’s the right player. The Angels have a lot of bodies, Schanuel, Rendon, Rengifo, and they are all huge question marks. You could roll a seven or a snake eyes with any or all of them. After thinking about it, I wouldn’t mind throwing another player in the mix.
And of course the also need to build a bullpen and get a front line starter.
Angels make very little sense… they have Rendon and they have many other needs.
I’m struggling to remember who Rendon is. Or was, anyway.
Angels have to assume Rendon will not play much and plan accordingly.
Why? If he’s healthy, he’ll get a lot of ABs at 3rd and DH. Easily 500+.
I don’t know, and I don’t care what the difference is between a high and low ankle sprain, but it amazes me how many fans think they know everything there is to know about every injury a player has.
I don’t know anything about Rendon’s injuries and have never suggested I did. I believe that the past is a good predictor of the future. Considering Rendon’s injury history, the Angels should prepare for his limited availability in the future until he proves otherwise. I said the same about Canning and his 2023 season was good in terms of innings pitched.
I believe in inertia as well. But there are so many question marks that the Angels either have to depend on no one or everyone.
Build a bullpen, add a starter, se who is who, and then try to build a team that can contend in 2025.
I agree we need to start with pitching first. Until we address that, everything else is irrelevant. The Angels should depend on players who have proven to be dependable. Rendon isn’t one of them so plan accordingly, If Rendon can stay healthy, then we’re ahead of the curve with our infield. But we’re still hanging onto players that have had years to show something and they can’t turn the corner. You probably disagree, but I wouldn’t start 2024 with Adell or Rengifo on the roster. Same with Velazquez. I would resign Moustakas for 3b and maybe Cron to share 1b with Shanuel. Cron and Moose can share DH (assuming we lose Ohtani). And get Fletcher back up to start 2b and let him sink or swim. I think he’d thrive as a starter. The Angels ruin players with their never ending platooning.
You’re 100% correct prov. Unfortunately, this is a terrible off-season to revamp an offense.
For Dbacks fans:
Which 3b would you prefer the Dbacks pursue? Rank them.
Candelario
Chapman
Turner
Or stick with Lawler/Perdomo?
Chapman – if affordable (but he won’t be)
Candelario
Turner
Lawler/Perdomo/Rivera
Reds be wiser to go cheaper on a Ty France type bounce back candidate… Dbacks makes most sense on this list but Jays look like best fit…
Candy would fit right in with the Angels previous FA signings. Give him big bucks, watch him get hurt and then still have the same hole to fill two years from now.
Guy provides no significant value and added negative 0.5 WAA last season and is generally around 0 for the career. Not going to invest his market value of $11.5M.
My personal preference is:
1. Candelario
2. Turner
3. Lawlar/Perdomo
4. Chapman
I prefer Candelario because he’s a better fielder/baserunner than Turner (and won’t be nearly as pricy as Chapman) and he would maintain lineup balance most effectively; Chapman is only at the bottom because him alone would be a large chunk of the budget this offseason. I’d also like to see Hazen try to bring back Pham, so that the position player mix looks something like:
-C: Moreno, Zavala/Herrera
-IF: Walker, Marte, Candelario, Perdomo, Peterson*, Rivera*
-OF: Carroll, Thomas, Pham, McCarthy/Fletcher, Lewis*
*These are the guys almost out of rope and as a result, the most fluid roster spots; I wouldn’t be surprised if Peterson/Rivera get removed from the 40-man early this season (or even offseason).
Lawlar is still a bit too raw for MLB and we don’t want him stuck on the bench, so Peterson sticks around for that reason (unless Alexander/Castillo are considered better options as the backup IF).
If Lewis continues to struggle, his roster spot can be used to play matchups (to call-up the odd one out of McCarthy/Fletcher or Smith when playing against a RHP heavy stretch, or even to call-up Barrosa when he’s deemed MLB ready).
Rivera’s spot isn’t even guaranteed if Candelario is signed, and backup C/IF/OF are all already covered. This is more of a flex spot when Rivera is gone, and as such we could see any number of names occupy it. I wouldn’t be surprised if Smith is the one to occupy that spot, ultimately (we all know how Hazen is).
So we’d wind up with a vs RHP lineup looking something like: Carroll, Marte, Moreno, Walker, Candelario, Pham, Thomas, McCarthy, Perdomo.
Is Candelario perfect? No, but he’s the best mix of batting (against both RHP and LHP), fielding, and cost effectiveness currently available to play 3B. Turn around and use some of the (relative) savings to sign a better pitcher (I’d love to see a run at Imanaga, since Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Nola are likely a bit too cost prohibitive; plus Imanaga is a LHP), and we’re in business.
I could see Hazen really looking to add a SP like Bieber w/ Cleveland or Cease w/ White Sox.. I can see Hazen involving McCarthy in a trade if he cannot get a SP as a free agent maybe Gray.
Krall will screw it up..The Reds always do..
Krall has basically gotten everything right in the Reds rebuild. What are you smoking?
Jeff Passan disagrees.
r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrhchbpN05llp8DdTVXNyoA;_…
This article wasn’t written by Passan, it was just quoting his tweet about the Reds “tanking” in early 2022. They weren’t tanking for draft picks they were simply cutting payroll on a losing hand and trading veteran players for prospects. Not only is that working, but it’s about 2 years ahead of schedule..
The failure of the team from July on because of front office inaction says otherwise.
What exactly was the solution? I actually had a $50k payout on a Reds WS prop bet and even I wasn’t wanting them to give up prospects for risky rentals. I think they should have maybe picked up Chapman on the cheap, but the Rangers go on that pretty early. This team played well over their heads early on and were not quite built for a big post-season run. Given how the far majority of their targeted pitchers panned out, I’d say they made the right choice.
You’re 100% correct MCTX. I’m not a Reds fan, but walking before you run is the right place for them to be right now. Not every year is “World Series or rebuild”. You have 5-6 years with some of these guys, and any positive gain is a win at this point
There was no failure by the Reds FO at the deadline. Injuries had left the starting pitching in tatters, as well as the lineup. Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo were on the IL and Andrew Abbott was on fumes. Their best hitter, Matt McLain was on the IL, along with India and Fraley. EDLC had gone into a prolonged slump and they weren’t scoring runs. They would’ve needed a half dozen players in order to do anything in the playoffs.
You’re beating a dead horse “this one”, (again) and the dead horse was the late summer version of the Reds.
I think Toronto makes much more sense that any of these other teams. The J’s have an opening at third with the departure of M Chapman and need a quality LH or switch hitter to balance the line up.
If the Angels bring him, he will be hitting .197 by the ASB.
I’m having PTSD flashbacks to the Reds signing Moustakas.
Jon Heyman must be high. Why would the Reds sign another Mike Moustakas?
The angels dont need him they need bullpen and 2 start
i wont be too surprised when perry brings in one infielder this offseason, perhaps an outfielder too. of course their needs are entirely pitching related, but improving the position floor is something he seems intent on
I like Longoria for a back-up third baseman for the Angels.
I can see the DBacks being really interested, in Candejaro it definitely a big hole for the past few years. But I also see the DBacks kicking the tires on starting RHP Gray, also a hometown player in Cody Bellinger, maybe LH relief pitcher Matt Moore, and already been talked about Turner as a DH. Maybe coming away with two FA. I say Candelario most likely and Turner with an outside shot at Bellinger in what I been hearing he may want to play in Az, to be closer to his family. Moore would be a signing to bolster the veteran presence in the bullpen.
Arizona should play rookie Jordan Lawlar instead of acquiring a veteran 3B. He fits better into Arizona’s team profile. He can field, hit and run.
Lawlar looked overmatched against MLB pitching at the end of the season; he could probably use some more reps in AAA to work out some kinks.
You are both right. He probably needs some time, but it makes no sense to block him
Way too many Ks in AA to rush him up. He was barely 21. Too many teams promoting young kids too early.
Dbacks fans: would you be in favor of a trade to Milwaukee.of Geraldo Perdomo for SP Byrnes? So Milwaukee can then trade Adames.
Then who would play SS for ARI?
Jordan Lawler
The Dback’s nice problem is that they have Perdomo and Lawler at SS. But moving one to 3b isn’t a good option because 3b should be a big time power/HR bat and neither fits that bill. Lawler may not be quite ready to take over SS on opening day, but the Dbacks want him to go for ROY honors in 2024, so he needs regular AtBats and in a sense, Perdomo is blocking him.
I don’t think that the DBacks would be in a one season rental like Byrnes unless they could get him on the cheap. And as far as Lawlar or Perdomo sliding over to third not in favor neither one is a big bat. Lawlar has not proved himself yet, he only had 16 AAA games, and he was not over impressive in his few games he had at the end of this season. I would like to see an RBI hitter playing 3rd in 2024.
I could see a McCarthy, Perdomo plus a prospect going to the White Sox for Dylan Cease. Hazen really likes him and he would look good in the rotation.
Well if both the Reds and DBacks are interested, congratulations to the DBacks on your newest signing.
Brady Singer and Brian Reynolds. I’m still acquiring them. Three guys I’m trading this off season, gallen, Thomas, and Marte. Why? They get the best return
Ghost Herman
What planet do you live on?
DBacks should sign Candelario or Matt Chapman for 3B, use Perdomo as an IF super-sub, sign Bellinger to come back to Chandler, make a trade for a top starting pitcher, and add on to the bullpen. Don’t want to trade Thomas but would have to if Bellinger signs with the team.