Cubs begin deadline shopping by landing 3B Candelario from Nationals
The Cubs became bona fide buyers on Monday.
Roughly 90 minutes before facing the Reds at Wrigley Field, the Cubs made a deal for Washington third baseman Jeimer Candelario, who began his MLB career on the North Side.
The Cubs are sending two prospects to the Nationals, left-handed pitcher D.J. Herz and infielder Kevin Made. Herz was playing for Double A Tennessee and Made at Single A South Bend.
Candelario gives the Cubs a left-handed power bat. The New York native is a switch-hitter, but does most of his damage from the left side. He would be tied for second among Cubs hitters in home runs (16) and second in RBI (53).
According to Statcast, he's an above-average defensive third baseman, with an outs above average of 6, the same as Nick Madrigal.
Candelario signed with the Cubs as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He made his MLB debut with the Cubs during the World Series season of 2016. A year later, the Cubs traded him to Detroit with Isaac Paredes for Alex Avila and Justin Wilson - not the greatest transaction in team history.
He was having a career-year in Washington, likely to hit new highs in home runs and RBI. His strikeout rate is 21%. Candelario will be a free agent after the season.
NL Central rival Milwaukee added a bat as well Monday, getting OF Mark Canha from the Mets. The MLB trade deadline hits Tuesday at 5 p.m. Central.
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