Jeimer Candelario Traded To The Cubs From Washington Nationals

Almost six years after trading third baseman Jeimer Candelario to the Detroit Tigers, the Cubs received him back on Monday.

Prospects DJ Herz and Kevin Made are being returned to the Nationals by the Cubs in exchange.

For Washington this year, Candelario, 29, has 16 home runs and a.823 OPS. Only three home runs separate this from his career-high total from last year. He has played third base in 96 games this season while also taking part in two more as the Nationals’ designated hitter, hitting.258 with a.342 on-base percentage.

After being signed by Chicago as a nondrafted free agent in October 2010, Candelario rejoins the Cubs organisation. In five games with Chicago in 2016, he made his major league debut. At the 2017 trade deadline, he was traded to Detroit along with infielder Isaac Paredes in exchange for pitcher Justin Wilson and catchers Alex Avila and Wilson.

The agreement on Monday was made public just before Chicago’s 6-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. In the home clubhouse following the game, it was evident that the deal was a success.

Funny how baseball works, I think. He was a teammate when I arrived for my first spring training here, according to Cubs manager David Ross. It is enormous to be able to raise the funds this year and have people come over and assist us.

Ian Happ, a Cubs outfielder, agreed.

He has had a fantastic year. Wow, dude,” he exclaimed. Good third-base play, and obviously the bat. Together, we were born. I’m happy to have him returning.

The Nationals defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 5-3 despite being without Candelario. But after the win, the topic of conversation was the player they were dealt.

Dave Martinez, the manager of Washington, said: “Obviously, he was fantastic.” “He exceeded my expectations in every way. He did well for us, and while we will miss him, he is leaving to assist the Cubs in their quest for a postseason appearance and a championship. Good for him, then.

The Cubs, who have alternated between third base and designated hitter throughout the whole season, could use the switch-hitting, eight-year veteran to fill both positions. While Nick Madrigal, a converted second baseman, has performed admirably in brief appearances at third base this season, Patrick Wisdom, who started the spring season strongly, has since cooled off and is batting only.195.

As the series against the Reds goes on, Candelario will play some first base and is anticipated to make his Cubs debut on Tuesday.

Prior to Monday’s defeat, the Cubs’ designated hitters had a.229 hitting average and.698 OPS.

Made, a Single-A shortstop, and Herz, a Double-A pitcher, both top-20 prospects in the Cubs organisation, were traded to the Nationals.

After winning eight straight games and moving above the.500 mark for the first time since early May, Chicago altered direction over the past week, transforming into a squad that would acquire talent. The Cubs are adding pending free agents rather than deducting them. In addition, the organisation is looking for bullpen specialists before Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Later on Monday, the Kansas City Royals exchanged outfielder Nelson Velazquez for right-handed pitcher Jose Cuas and sent him to the Chicago Cubs.

Cuas, 29, had four holds, two missed saves, and a 1-3 record for Kansas City this season. All but one of his 45 appearances—45 in total—came from the bullpen.

Velazquez, 24, was optioned to Triple-A Omaha from Chicago’s 40-man roster. For the Cubs this season, he had a.241 batting average, three home runs, and six RBIs.