Cincinnati Reds and free agent Jeimer Candelario agree to 3-year, $45M deal

Jeimer Candelario 3rd baseman for the Chicago Cubs at Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria Arizona ^ 2017

Switch-hitting infielder Jeimer Candelario and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal. Sources told ESPN that the pact includes a $15 million option for 2027.

The Washington Nationals traded Candelario to the Chicago Cubs in July. The 30-year-old free agent hit .251 with a career-high 22 home runs and 70 RBIs over 140 games last season, appearing in 99 games for the Nationals and 41 games for the Cubs during the 2023 campaign. Candelario, an eight-year veteran, also spent time with the Detroit Tigers, hitting a career-high .297 for the Tigers in 2020. He recorded an MLB-best 42 doubles in 2021.

Candelario, an eight-year veteran, has a career .243 batting average, with 88 home runs over 746 games. He has split time at first base, third base and as a designated hitter throughout his career.

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