Washington Nationals Sign INF Jeimer Candelario

SEATTLE - OCTOBER 04: Jeimer Candelario #46 of the Detroit Tigers bats during the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on October 04, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
SEATTLE - OCTOBER 04: Jeimer Candelario #46 of the Detroit Tigers bats during the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on October 04, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Washington Nationals have finally joined the offseason action, to a degree at least, as they have signed former Detroit Tigers Third Baseman Jeimer Candelario to a one year deal, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. The financials of the agreement are not yet known, but Candelario was on a one year, 5.6 MM deal with Detroit last season.

UPDATE: Candelario’s deal with Washington is for One Year, $5 MM with a $1 Incentive.

Candelario’s best season came in 2021, when he hit 42 Doubles and slashed .271/.351/.443 with 16 Home Runs and 67 RBIs. He also provides some versatility to the Nats’ lineup, as he is a switch hitter and can play either Third Base or First Base, although he has not played First Base since 2020.

ARLINGTON, TX – AUGUST 27: Jeimer Candelario #46 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning at Globe Life Field on August 27, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – AUGUST 27: Jeimer Candelario #46 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning at Globe Life Field on August 27, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

He won’t wow you with power, as his career high in Home Runs is only 19, which came back in the 2018 campaign, but the Nationals do get a versatile player at positions of need. It would not surprise me if he is this team’s starting Third Baseman on opening day. Candelario had a disappointing 2022 season, but if he can hit close to what he did over 2020/21, when he hit .278 over 742 plate appearances with an OPS over .800, he will be a welcome addition to a Nationals’ lineup that desperately needs some life.

Story will be updated as more details emerge.

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