Jeimer Candelario

Position: 3B Bats/Throws: S/R
Age: 29 (11/24/1993)

2023 Traditional Stats: 140 G, 576 PA, .251/.336/.471/.807, 22 HR, 39 2B, 70 RBI, 127 H
2023 Advanced Stats: 119 OPS+, 117 wRC+, 3.1 bWAR, 3.3 fWAR, 22.1 SO%, 9.2 BB%, .292 BABIP, .319 xwOBA, -4 DRS, 0 OAA

Rundown

The 2023 season was arguably the best of Jeimer Candelario‘s career. A standout bat in a depleted Nationals’ lineup, Candelario set himself up as one of the hottest trade chips of this past season’s trade deadline, where he saw himself land with the Cubs. His play fell off a bit following the trade, but Candelario still enjoyed a season where he set career highs in home runs, RBIs, and OPS (excluding the shortened 2020 season).

Candelario has enjoyed a successful MLB career until now, even if it’s one that hasn’t been worthy of any accolades. After beginning his career with a brief stint with the Cubs, Candelario became a fixture in the Tigers’ lineup from 2017 to 2022, where he experienced highs and lows. Among the highs were a 19-home run season in his first full year with the Tigers in 2018, a .872 OPS season in 52 games in 2020, and a 42-double season in 2021 to lead the majors in that category. Among the lows were two seasons with an OPS below .650 and no All-Star, Silver Slugger, or Gold Glove awards.

A disappointing 2022 season in Detroit forced the Tigers to non-tender Candelario, and he became a free agent for the first time. He chose to sign with the Nationals and immediately became one of the best players on the team. Before the trade deadline, Candelario hit 16 home runs with 53 RBIs and a .823 OPS. He was then traded to the Cubs and hit six home runs with 17 RBIs and a .764 OPS with the team. He finished the year with 22 home runs, 70 RBIs, 39 doubles, and a .807 OPS.

Despite putting up quality numbers, Candelario finished the year well below average in expected batting average (21st percentile), hard-hit percentage (22nd percentile), and average exit velocity (29th percentile). He also finished around league average in barrel percentage (44th percentile), chase percentage (48th percentile), and whiff percentage (56th percentile). Candelario also struggled against non-fastballs, putting up a batting average of .170 against breaking balls and .238 against offspeed pitches.

Defensively, Candelario played exclusively third base with the Nationals last year but split time between third and first base with the Cubs. At third, Candelario finished the year with -5 DRS and 2 OAA, and at first, he finished with 1 DRS and -2 OAA. Being that he’s not exactly a wizard with the glove, he could potentially serve as a team’s designated hitter, although he can more than hold his own if he plays the field for his next team.

Contract

Spotrac.com projects Candelario to receive a three-year, $34.85 million contract, which is good for $11.6 million annually. That would put him right around league average in terms of salary for third basemen, which is probably what the 29-year-old is looking to get after his 2023 season.

Recommendation

If I’m David Stearns, I’m looking elsewhere for bats to supplement the lineup. Candelario is a good player, but he isn’t someone who fits this Mets team or someone who projects to improve upon last year’s performance. If anything, a regression is the likeliest outcome. That’s not to mention that Stearns recently stated that the Mets will be constructed so that “young, talented players do get a chance over the course of the year,” meaning either of Brett Baty or Ronny Mauricio will likely be the team’s third baseman.

Candelario has had an inconsistent career and would probably serve as the Mets’ designated hitter if signed. With better DH options on the market, such as Teoscar Hernández or Jorge Soler, the Mets should stay away from Candelario.