The Cincinnati Reds shocked the baseball world on Wednesday night by signing slugging third baseman Jeimer Candelario to a three-year contract.
Candelario is a good player coming off a good year, so it's understandable why he was in high demand this offseason, but still, infield help wasn't a need for the Reds.
The team already has Spencer Steer, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marte, Matt McLain and Jonathan India in the infield.
Even if Steer moves to the outfield and one of the players above plays designated hitter, you still have too many infielders.
There's been plenty of chatter about the team possibly trading Jonathan India so that will only intensify now. It would seem as if Marte, De La Cruz and McLain are off the table.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, this is how the team plans to handle Candelario:
Jeimer Candelario is expected to play third base and first base for the Reds, while also getting at-bats as a designated hitter.
His precise role depends in part on whether the Reds trade an infielder to improve their rotation.
While maybe it was expected, the signing of Candelario certainly ends any chance of a reunion between the Reds and longtime first baseman Joey Votto, who had his option declined this offseason.
Candelario just finished his eighth year in the big leagues with the Cubs, Tigers, and Nationals.
Lifetime, the switch-hitter is a .243 hitter with 88 homers and 318 RBI. He became a solid regular in 2017 when he led the American League in doubles with 42.
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