The Cincinnati Reds have made a significant roster move involving infielder Jeimer Candelario, designating him for assignment on Monday despite being only halfway through a three-year, $45 million contract that he signed ahead of the 2024 Major League Baseball season. The decision comes as part of a strategic shift for the Reds, who appear ready to invest in younger, more productive players as they continue to reshape their roster.
Candelario, now 31 years old, has been sidelined since late April due to a lumbar spine strain. After spending weeks on the injured list recovering from that back injury, the Reds reinstated him on Monday, only to immediately designate him for assignment. This move effectively removes him from the active roster and initiates a process that could see him traded, released, or sent to the minor leagues if he clears waivers.
Nick Krall, the Reds’ president of baseball operations, was candid about the reasoning behind the decision. Speaking to The Athletic, Krall emphasized that the team must make tough choices to remain competitive, regardless of financial commitments. “At the end of the day, you have to look at it as a sunk cost because you can’t bring a player that’s not going to help his team win,” Krall stated, highlighting that performance, not contractual obligations, drives their roster decisions.
Candelario’s performance with the Reds this season has been far from what the team had hoped for when they signed him as a free agent. Prior to his injury, he appeared in 22 games, starting 12 times at third base and seven times at first base. During that stretch, his offensive production was underwhelming—he managed just a .113 batting average, collecting nine hits in 80 at-bats, with two home runs and 10 RBIs.
In 2024, his first full season with Cincinnati, Candelario played in 112 games, finishing with a .225 batting average, 20 home runs, 23 doubles, and 56 RBIs. These numbers, while serviceable, fell short of expectations given his lucrative contract and prior track record.
Candelario had previously shown flashes of potential that made him an attractive free-agent target. After stints with the Chicago Cubs (2016-2017) and Detroit Tigers (2017-2022), he delivered one of the most productive seasons of his career in 2023, splitting his time between the Washington Nationals and Cubs. That year, he hit .251 with career-best totals in home runs (22) and RBIs (70), which led Cincinnati to offer him a significant deal in free agency.
Looking ahead, the Reds are focusing on a younger group of corner infielders, including Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Noelvi Marte, and Spencer Steer, all of whom have shown promise and are expected to play key roles moving forward. The Reds’ decision signals a continued commitment to building around emerging talent, even if it means moving on from expensive veterans like Candelario who have not met performance expectations.
