Just-in: Jeimer Candelario signs $45 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds…..

January 26, 2024 Sports Gist Baseball, MLB 0

Jeimer Candelario signs $45 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds…..

Jeimer Candelario has agreed to a $45 million, three-year contract with Cincinnati, giving the Reds a surplus of infielders that could lead to another move.

A person familiar with the negotiations confirmed the agreement to The Associated Press on Thursday morning on condition of anonymity because it was pending a physical. The contract includes a club option that could take the value to $60 million over four years.

Candelario played for Washington and the Chicago Cubs last season, batting .251 with 22 homers and 70 RBIs in 140 games. The switch hitter also had 39 doubles.

Candelario, a New York City native who turned 30 on Nov. 24, can play first and third base. He also could be part of Cincinnati’s lineup as the designated hitter.

READ MORE:

Cincinnati Reds’ Legend Reportedly Drawing Interest From American League Club

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Los Angeles Angels are interested in free agent first baseman Joey Votto.

The Angels are a new name in the Votto sweepstakes, who has had a quiet offseason to this point. It’s been hoped by sentimentalists that Votto would re-sign with the Cincinnati Reds, but they don’t have room for him with their glut of infielders. It’s been thought that the Toronto Blue Jays may sign him since he’s a Canada native but there hasn’t been much traction on that front, either.

Furthermore, the Milwaukee Brewers were mentioned as a fit but after signing Rhys Hoskins, they would seem to be out as well.

As for the Angels, they are interesting for a few reasons. First, after losing Shohei Ohtani in free agency, they may very well have room at designated hitter, which could help Votto. Also, they have rookie Nolan Schanuel at first base, so perhaps Votto could be a mentor to him.

A lifetime .294 hitter, Votto is one of the more accomplished players of the last 20 years. He’s got a .409 on-base percentage lifetime and has hit 356 career home runs. The slugger also owns a pristine resume with six All-Star appearances, a Gold Glove and an MVP award.

He’s led the league in on-base percentage in seven separate seasons. He spent 17 years with the Reds and is a borderline Hall of Famer.

He hit .202 last season as he battled injury. Unfortunately, this led him to accumulate just 208 at-bats.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*