Jeimer Candelario, now formerly a third baseman of the Cincinnati Reds, was DFA'd by the team on Monday. Candelario was in the second year of a three year, $45 million contract that he inked with the Reds prior to the 2024 season. The Toronto Blue Jays were involved in the Rafael Devers sweepstakes before he was traded to the San Francisco Giants, but perhaps a different third baseman (at a much lower cost) could interest them.
He's undoubtedly had a tough go at the plate so far this season, but the upside on a switch-hitting veteran third baseman should not go unnoticed. Candelario isn't a player that the Jays should go for just because they can, but rather because if he can find his groove in Toronto that veteran presence can be very valuable.
Why the Blue Jays should check in on recently DFA'd third baseman
Early Season Struggles
Candelario has only mustered a slashline of .113/.198/.213 in 2025 with 2 home run and 10 RBI's across 22 games and 91 plate appearances, so it's been slim pickings for him this year. His position at third base in Cincinnati is likely being given to young slugger Christian Encarnacion-Strand who certainly has plenty of potential himself.
Not only is Candelario struggling in basic offensive metrics, but Baseball Savant has him ranked in the bottom quarter of league percentiles in virtually every hitting stat. The only place Candelario seems to be overperforming the mean in 2025 is in walk rate, where he has a nice 9.9% rate of free passes.
From 2021 to 2024, Candelario averaged a .243/.314/.429 slashline with a 162-game average of 38 doubles, 22 home runs, and 75 RBI's. It's clear to see the potential upside given his past successes, he's just simply off at the plate right now. He was the least valuable player in Cincinnati this season with a -0.7 fWAR in just 22 games, so it makes sense why the Reds are deciding to move on from him. It's just not working out for Candelario with the Reds anymore and the rest of the league is free to pick him up.
Change of Scenery Needed?
It could be that Candelario just needs a change of scenery, and it wouldn't be the first time that's happened for the veteran third baseman. In the 2022 season, he posted a .633 OPS and 0.0 fWAR while hitting only .217 in the final year of his contract with the Detroit Tigers, after which he became a free agent.
He tested the waters of free agency, inking a 1-year, $5 million deal with the Washington Nationals, and all of a sudden he exploded for 30 doubles, 16 home runs, 3.0 fWAR, and a 122 wRC+ in the first half of the season. He was then flipped to the Cubs where his numbers came back down to earth, but this could simply be a down year for Candelario.
The only real hitch on Candelario is his contract, as he's owed $16 million this season, $13 million in 2026, and has an $18 million team option for the 2027 season. The Reds will be on the hook for that money, unless anyone trades for Candelario - which his highly unlikely as he can wait out the seven day DFA time, and then sign with another team for the league minimum.
The Blue Jays do have potential All-Star Addison Barger and the strong bat of Ernie Clement at third base at the moment, but Candelario could be a good veteran to add to the bench or for spot starts whenever possible. He may not be the flashiest name in the game, but he could definitely help Toronto if he can return to his former self.