The Cincinnati Reds just made a stunning move by designating Jeimer Candelario for assignment, despite still owing him \$32 million heading into the season. This type of decision is highly uncharacteristic for the Reds’ front office and ownership, but it could signal a shift in approach ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
Candelario’s DFA might be an early indicator that Nick Krall and the front office are finally ready to take a bold stance at the deadline. In recent years, Reds fans have grown used to the team playing it safe, making low-impact moves like acquiring Mychal Givens or Sam Moll, which did little to move the needle.
Cutting ties with Candelario sends a message: the Reds won’t let a struggling veteran occupy a valuable roster spot. While players like Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Connor Joe still had minor league options available, the Reds chose not to demote them. Instead, Candelario is now on the hunt for a new team.
DFA’ing Jeimer Candelario hints that Reds are about to be agressive at the MLB trade deadline
But designating Jeimer Candelario for assignment is just the latest sign that the Reds are going all-in this season. In fact, the first real indicator came months ago, back in October, when the team brought in Terry Francona to replace David Bell. Cincinnati was in need of a fresh voice and new energy in the clubhouse, and hiring a future Hall of Famer with old-school credentials was a bold way to set the tone.
Another strong signal came with the recent decision to call up top prospect Chase Burns for Game 2 of the series against the Yankees. In years past, fans might have seen a depth arm like Randy Wynne or Aaron Wilkerson make that start. But this time, the Reds turned to their highly touted pitching prospect, who will make his MLB debut after just 13 minor league starts — a clear departure from the organization’s usual cautious approach.
The Reds’ offense has come to life recently, and the starting rotation remains a bright spot. But if the team is serious about contending, President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall still has work to do. Counting on players like Austin Hays and Noelvi Marte to get healthy isn’t enough — Cincinnati needs more lineup depth, ideally from a right-handed bat, and at least one reliable bullpen arm.
Fortunately, the Reds have a deep pool of talented prospects that could help them land impact players at the deadline. The real question is whether this is finally the year Krall is willing to part with some of those coveted young pieces. After seeing the team cut ties with Candelario, the answer might finally be yes.
