The Cubs went almost an entire month without adding a new player to the team. Sure, there were players going back and forth between Iowa, but in the month of July, pitcher Daniel Palencia was the only player to make his Cubs debut. He did that on July 4.
Jeimer Candelario now becomes the newest player to take the field for the Cubs in 2023. He was acquired from the Nationals in exchange for a couple of minor leaguers. It is a homecoming for Candelario, as he was originally signed by the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent in 2010. He made his MLB debut with the Cubs on July 3, 2016. A few weeks later he was traded to the Tigers as the Cubs wore looking to add pitching and catching depth.
The bulk of his career was with the Tigers as their third baseman. He was non-tendered by Detroit after the 2022 season and signed by the Nationals as a free agent. He's working on a one-year deal, so this is most likely a rent-a-player situation. He'll be playing mostly as the Cubs first baseman, so the Cubs have also dumped Trey Mancini.
This has proved to be a good move in that it solidifies the infield a little more AND I do believe Candelario will probably only add to the clubhouse in a positive way. Oh and he's 8 for his first 9 at the plate. Good grief! (An aside: I feel bad for Mancini, but he never really hit, was a liability at 1B, and wasn't the type of athletic guy you need to coming off the bench in today's game. It was time for him to go. I hope he lands on his feet.)
ReplyDeleteI too am bummed Trey had to go, but this was a great move. The Cubs should look into keeping him for next year, assuming there's no stud third basemen available in the offseason.
ReplyDelete