Should the Nationals consider reuniting with this veteran hitter?

Ever since Anthony Rendon signed a mega-contract with the Los Angeles Angels following the 2019 season, the Nationals have struggled to find a productive third baseman. From Carter Kieboom to Jose Tena and many players in between, the hot corner has been a black hole in Washington for most of the last six seasons.

I know what you're thinking: Brady House has arrived in the major leagues. Should that really stop the Nationals from making roster additions, though?

Earlier this week, the Cincinnati Reds activated Jeimer Candelario from the injured list and designated him for assignment, opting to instead continue with their younger options. Should the Nationals consider a reunion with the one man who has performed up to the standards of a starting third baseman for them in recent years?

Let's take some time to assess the pros and cons of bringing "the Candy Man" back to Washington.

Before we go too far, it has to be acknowledged that Candelario isn't necessarily cheap to acquire currently. Unless Cincinnati would agree to cover the majority of his remaining money owed, he likely isn't worth pursuing via a waiver claim. Since would likely get through waivers unclaimed, the better option is probably to allow the Reds to release him first.

Pro: Past Production

The 31-year-old veteran was a former top 100 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, entering the 2017 season as a member of the Chicago Cubs organization. As a corner infielder, he was stuck behind Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, so he never received much of an opportunity in Chicago - despite being highly productive in Double-A and Triple-A.

Following a trade to the Detroit Tigers at the deadline in 2017, Candelario got off to a red-hot start in his new home. The next two seasons were less favorable, but the production returned in 2020 (to the tune of a .297 batting average and 137 OPS+) and 2021 (with an OPS just below .800).

A rough season in 2022 made him a cheap option for Washington to sign entering 2023, and it became a great investment. In just 99 games, Candelario provided 3.1 wins above replacement (WAR) and arguably should have been an All-Star. As you likely know, he was traded back to the Cubs on July for a package that included left-handed starting pitcher DJ Herz.

In my mind, this would be the formula. The league thinks Candelario is bad again, and that will make him very affordable. At around the veteran minimum salary, even a team that doesn't desire to make him an everyday player almost has to at least consider signing him.

Con: Recent Production

Over the last two seasons, Candelario hasn't performed to anywhere near the level that Washington was able to enjoy. He provided below-average production at the plate and was net-negative at third and first base in 2024, and he has a meager .113 batting average through 91 plate appearances this year.

Compared to his Washington tenure, many of Candelario's other rate statistics have also declined - although not overwhelmingly - including strikeout, walk, hard hit and line drive rate, as well as exit velocity. If these are indicative of his future productivity, which they typically are, it's difficult to envision him return to a level near what he was in 2023.

To paint a more complete picture, in spite of how good he was in 2023, Candelario has been a disappointment in two of his last three full seasons, and virtually unplayable this year. Is that really someone who is worth adding to your roster, even in a reserve role? That might be more palatable if he was a true utility infielder or a quick base runner who could be a late-game substitution. But that isn't the case - he is exclusively a corner infielder.

Pro: Current State of the Nationals

Even though Candelario isn't incredibly versatile defensively, he has the ability to fill three different positions that are relatively wide openin Washington. We've discussed third base already, Nathaniel Lowe has been almost exactly neutral in terms of WAR, and Josh Bell has been arguably the least productive everyday designated hitter in the league.

Additionally, Candelario has generally been a better hitter against left-handed pitching. Although that's the "short end" of a platoon situation, it's also something the Nationals lack, since they're very heavy with left-handed hitters who perform better against right-handed pitchers. This holds true for Lowe and Bell (although he's a switch hitter), and even Brady House is struggling to hit right-handers in the opening stages of his big league career.

More so than third base, the Nationals appear to be looking for a true backup first baseman slash-designated hitter - and especially one who can hit against the pitchers Lowe and Bell are worse against. That appeared to have been the reason for recalling Andres Chaparro from Triple-A, and he hasn't produced since the call-up.

Given Bell's struggles, there is also a chance that Candelario could become the everyday designated hitter.

Con: Soon-to-be State of the Nationals

Brady House is at the forefront of this discussion. Until further notice, the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline is here to stay as the starting third baseman, in spite of his lack of productivity thus far. The Nationals almost certainly don't want to have to send him back to Triple-A, and his advanced metrics are more favorable than the traditional box score data. That doesn't mean they won't send him back to Rochester, but they'll likely do everything they can to justify keeping him in the majors.

Paul DeJong - the placeholder third baseman earlier this season - is also on a rehab assignment and will likely be returning very shortly. He probably won't overtake House, but the Nationals will want to retain him as a bench bat - alongside infielder Amed Rosario. That would give them seven infielders (including Bell), four outfielders and two catchers, totaling 13 position players - the required number to be carried on the active roster. Therefore, barring an unexpected demotion or release, there wouldn't even be room to sign Candelario.

My Opinion: Sign Candelario

I'm not opposed to sending House back to Rochester. His production isn't forcing the issue, and I don't view him spending time hitting in Triple-A everyday as harmful towards his development, although I would disagree if this were more comparable to James Wood last year. But that isn't necessarily the point. For the most part, the combination of specific needs for the lineup and Candelario's familiarity (and past success) here are what make him appealing.

Above all else, my goal is to bring in competition for underperforming players. House would have to be on the losing end initially (unless someone gets injured), but Candelario would be in more direct long-term competition with Bell.

Candelario's ability to hit off pitchers that the rest of the lineup can't is another advantage he holds. Playing mutliple positions also helps. And don't forget, the coaching staff is very comfortable with him, with Davey Martinez leading that charge. Their relationship dates back to the time they both spent with the Cubs, which played a role in the Nationals signing him originally.

Considering he would have the choice of where to sign, Candelario may also prefer to rejoin Martinez and the Nationals.

Maybe his 2023 season isn't repeatable, but I think it would be a great story and something that the 2025 Nationals could benefit from. And if it quickly becomes clear that he's not the same guy anymore, Washington could easily move on without having spent meaningful money on the failed attempt.

What do you think? Is bringing back Candelario worthwhile for the current iteration of the Nationals, or should we let the past stay in the past? Let me know your thoughts @stephen_newman1 on X.

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