Reds Cut Ties with Jeimer Candelario Despite $45 Million Deal
The Cincinnati Reds made a bold roster decision on Monday, designating veteran infielder Jeimer Candelario for assignment just over a year after signing him to a three-year, $45 million contract.
The 31-year-old struggled to find his rhythm this season, hitting a mere .113 with two home runs and 13 RBIs across 22 games before landing on the injured list in late April with a lower back issue. While his rehab stint showed slight improvement — .238 with a home run and 13 RBIs — it wasn’t enough to convince the Reds’ front office.
“We felt this gives us our best chance to win games,” Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall told The Athletic. “It’s a sunk cost — you can’t bring back a player that’s not going to help the team win.”
Candelario’s Reds tenure ends on a sour note despite showing flashes of power last year with 20 home runs. Across his 10-year career, the switch-hitting infielder owns a .237 average with 110 homers and 384 RBIs.
The Reds now look to rising stars Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Noelvi Marte, and Spencer Steer to anchor the corners as the team eyes a playoff push.
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