According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, the Angels have had talks with the Nationals about third baseman Jeimer Candelario.
Candelario, 29, spent several years as the Tigers’ primary third baseman before struggling through a career-worst season in 2022. The Nationals scooped him up on a one-year, $5MM deal in free agency.
In 94 games and 398 plate appearances, Candelario has rebounded with a .257/.338/.486 batting line, swatting 16 homers in addition to 29 doubles and a pair of triples.
He’s already swiped five bases and should surpass his career-best mark of 19 home runs before long.
The Angels blockbuster acquisition of Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez from the White Sox has already pushed them, so the remaining $1.8MM that Candelario would add to their luxury ledger isn’t likely to be a major deterrent. They’ve already taken Ohtani off the trade market.
Whether or not a deal involving Candelario comes together, it seems quite likely that the Angels will be in the market for further upgrades in the lineup.
