Cincinnati Reds Part Ways with Jeimer Candelario

In a surprising move, the Cincinnati Reds have designated infielder Jeimer Candelario for assignment after reinstating him from the 10-day injured list. Despite his brief stint on a rehab assignment, the club decided not to reintegrate him into the active roster, dropping their 40-man roster count down to 38.

A Disappointing Tenure: Candelario's Struggles

Candelario's three-year, $45 million contract signed at the start of last year has turned into a disappointing investment. Last season, while he managed to hit 20 home runs, his overall performance was lackluster, posting a .225 batting average and a wRC+ of just 87, coupled with troubling defensive metrics. Fast forward to 2025, and things have taken a turn for the worse; injuries have limited him to just 22 games where he’s recorded a shocking .113/.198/.213 line.

What’s Next for Candelario?

With this latest announcement, it appears Candelario's time with the Reds is all but over. While the team has five days to explore trade options, interest will likely be minimal given his underwhelming performance. Even during his recent rehab stint, he managed only a .211/.318/.333 line in 15 Triple-A games, resulting in a wRC+ of 80, far from impressive.

Potential Free Agency and Future Opportunities

Candelario is making $15 million this year and is set to earn $12 million next year, along with a $3 million buyout on a 2027 option. His substantial service time gives him the right to decline an outright assignment and opt for free agency, keeping all his financial gains. It's possible the Reds might forgo the formalities and simply release him, making him an available free agent very soon.

At that point, any team could scoop him up at the prorated league minimum salary, making him an intriguing low-risk option for clubs needing infield help.

Can Candelario Rediscover His Form?

Before his stint with the Reds, Candelario was known for his solid performance, particularly with the Tigers where he posted a .278/.356/.458 line from 2020 to 2021. After a less successful season in 2022, he bounced back with the Nationals and Cubs in 2023, concluding that year with a .251 batting average and a wRC+ of 118. His recent downturn in form could be attributed to a series of injuries, including knee tendinitis that plagued him during his last productive stretch.

Final Thoughts: Reds’ Decision and What It Means

The Reds’ decision to cut ties with Candelario appears to stem from a lack of patience and belief in a turnaround. With their current corner infield situation being filled by Gavin Lux and others, Candelario’s prospects of returning seem slim. While the Reds will incur a financial loss of just under $23 million, other teams may see an opportunity to revive Candelario's career with minimal investment, especially with the trade deadline still over a month away.

Could we see Candelario make a comeback elsewhere? Only time will tell, but there's certainly a glimmer of hope for a fresh start.