The Nationals’ sale of assets has begun, as they announced late Monday that they have dealt third baseman Jeimer Candelario to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for two minor-leaguers: LHP DJ Herz and infielder Kevin Made.
Candelario was signed to a one-year deal this winter after being non-tendered by Detroit, and he slashed .258/.342/.481 with 16 homers, 53 RBI, 30 doubles, and 57 runs in 99 games in DC. Candelario was originally an international free agent signing of the Cubs in 2010 and he made his MLB debut in Chicago in 2016, and he played 16 games there in 2016-17 before being dealt to the Tigers at the 2017 trade deadline.
As for what the Nats got in return, Herz, 22, was the Cubs’ eighth-round pick out of high school in 2019 and has spent this season at Double-A Tennessee, going 1-1 with a 3.97 ERA in 14 starts, with 80 strikeouts and a 1.424 WHIP in 59 innings.
Made, 20, was an international free agent signing out of the Dominican Republic in 2019. He has spent this season at High-A South Bend, hitting .241/.328/.355 with three homers, 25 RBI, 30 walks, and 39 runs in 70 games. He has played mostly shortstop (184 games) over his three minor-league seasons, but has limited experience at both third base (18 games) and second base (seven games).
Both players will be Rule 5 Draft eligible this offseason and were among the Cubs’ Top 30 prospects as listed by MLB.com, with Made 14th and Herz 16th.
The Nationals did not make an immediate 26-man roster move to replace Candelario – RHP Hobie Harris was called up, but they also place RHP Trevor Williams on the bereavement list – but Ildemaro Vargas got the start at third base in the Nationals’ game against Milwaukee Monday night.
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