ESPN
ESPNCINCINNATI — On Monday, the Cubs got Jeimer Candelario back from the Washington Nationals. It was almost six years before they traded him to the Detroit Tigers.
In exchange, the Cubs send the National’s young players Kevin Made and DJ Herz.
Candelario, who is 29, has 16 home runs and an OPS.823 this season. Only three more home runs would put him at his career high, which he set in 2018. This year, he has played 96 games at third base and two more as the Nationals’ designated hitter. He has a batting average of.258 and an on-base percentage of.342.
Candelario is back with the Chicago Cubs organization. He was signed by the Cubs as an undrafted free agent in October 2010, and he made his debut in the major leagues with the Cubs in 2016. At the 2017 trade deadline, he was sent to Detroit along with an infielder, Isaac Paredes, in exchange for a catcher, Alex Avila, and a pitcher, Justin Wilson.
The deal was made public shortly before Chicago lost 6-5 to the Cincinnati Reds on Monday. In the home clubhouse after the game, it was clear that the trade was good.
“It’s funny how baseball works. He was on my team the first time I came here for spring training, “David Ross, who manages the Cubs, said. “It’s huge that you were able to bring in more people this year and come over to help us.”
Ian Happ, an outfielder for the Cubs, agreed.
“He has had a great year. Wow, that’s cool, “He said. “Good defense at third, and the bat, of course. We both went up. I’m glad to see him again.”
Even without Candelario, the Nationals beat the Milwaukee Brewers by 5-3. But after they won, everyone talked about the player they were dealt.
Washington manager Dave Martinez said, “Of course, he was great.” “He was even better than I had hoped. We’ll miss him, but he will help the Cubs try to get to the playoffs and win championships. So, he did well.”
The eight-year veteran, who hits both left and right, could fill both roles for the Cubs, who have been switching between third base and designated hitter all season. Patrick Wisdom started the spring strong but has cooled off and is now hitting only.195. Nick Madrigal used to play second base, but he has done well at third base in short stints this season.
Candelario will play some first base and is expected to make his Cubs debut Tuesday as the series against the Reds continues.
Before Monday’s loss, the DHs for the Cubs had a batting average of.229 and an OPS of.698.
Made, a shortstop in Single-A, and Herz, a pitcher in Double-A, were both in the top 20 prospects in the Cubs system. They were both given to the Nationals in the trade.
In the last week, Chicago changed direction. After winning eight straight games and going over.500 for the first time since early May, they became a team that would add talent. Instead of getting rid of free agents who are about to leave, the Cubs are adding them. The team is also looking for arms for the bullpen before the trade deadline on Tuesday.
In exchange for outfielder Nelson Velazquez, the Kansas City Royals sent right-handed pitcher Jose Cuas to the Chicago Cubs.
Cuas, who is 29 years old, had a 1-3 record for Kansas City this season. He had four holds and two blown saves. All but one of his 45 appearances came out of the bullpen.
Velazquez, who was 24 years old and on the 40-man roster for Chicago, was sent to Triple-A Omaha. This season, he hit.241 and had three home runs and six RBIs for the Cubs.