(670 The Score) Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer realized as his team went on an eight-game winning streak at the end of July that he was best suited seeking to acquire players rather than sell off before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
The Cubs made a trade on Monday to land third baseman Jeimer Candelario from the Nationals, sending a pair of prospects back to Washington. Hoyer believed he had brought in a key piece to help the Cubs push for contention this season.
Candelario was hoping for the opportunity to make an impact on a team with a trade prior to the deadline. He is 8-for-9 in two games with the Cubs, who have posted a franchise-record 36 runs over these two victories – their most in a two-game stretch.
“It feels good,” Candelario said Thursday on the Parkins & Spiegel Show prior to the Cubs’ series finale with the Reds at Wrigley Field. “It’s amazing that they selected me and got me to help the team win. That’s on my mind.
“Just putting myself in a good position to help the team win day by day. That’s what we’re doing right now, is going day by day, game by game and try to win the ballgame every single day.”
Candelario came up with the Cubs organization and broke into the majors with the team in 2016, playing 18 games for the team before a July 2017 trade to the Tigers.
The 29-year-old Candelario has enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, hitting .273 with 16 home runs and 53 RBIs over 101 games. He is slated to become a free agent this offseason.
The Cubs look to earn a series victory over the Reds on Thursday night at Wrigley Field.
Listen live to 670 The Score via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker