In a matter of days, MLB teams must submit contract offers to their players who qualify. It has been widely rumored that the Tigers will non-tender Jeimer Candelario.
He earned $5.8 mill this past year for arguably his worst performance to date and production simply did not come close to matching his salary. He is also known to be unreliable in performance from year to year. If his case were to go to arbitration, he would be expected to receive $7 mill.
In 2022, he hit .217 and a – 1 Defensive Run Saved (DRS). However, he is a switch hitter and his fWAR was 3.9 back in 2021. Compare that with the current free agent 3Bers who each have a 2 fWAR.
Finding a better solution via free agency may be tough. But potentially the team could try to trade for one. There are currently no options in the farm system.
Several days ago, Scott Harris grabbed Andy Ibanez from the Rangers who has played more third base than any other position. He has the offensive habits – great plate discipline, few strikeouts, etc. – that Harris desires. He is also showing that he can consistently handle the defensive part of the game.
The Tigers may also non-tender Candelario and then try to re-sign him at a lower price. It is believed that his real value is around $3 mill. It would be half his current salary and may not be a feasible option for Jeimer.
What should the Tigers do about Candelario? Try to keep him or allow him to walk?
Today’s blog addresses this dilemma and allows readers to share their thoughts in more detail. And hopefully, to actively engage with others by responding to their posts and creating back-and-forth discussion threads. The more the merrier!
For this one blog only, you’ve got 6 sentences max to share your thoughts. Of course, you can respond to as many other readers as you want.
TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.
Ready?
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Jeimer Candelario has been a real disappointment, especially since he was thought to have great potential when he was acquired via trade several years ago. Of course, if the pattern holds, he will go to another team and vastly improve.
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Let’s see what new attitudes, new coaching can do. If you think elsewhere he’ll blossom, why not under new regime here ?
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He was a bit disappointment, alas. After 2020 and 2021 it looked like he was going to settle in as a solid if not spectacular third baseman, some power, and he’s worked hard to become a decent glove man. I wonder if there is some hidden problem that caused his collapse this past year. Meanwhile, I’d say yes, see about alternatives. Meanwhile, what is there in Ibanez’s record that causes anyone to think he’s the answer to anything except a trivia question?
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Alex, he could be thought of as a right skill player who could be a late bloomer ala a Whitt Merrifield. The answer could be evident after the 18th.
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The team lost almost 100 games last year. “Another Solution” should be the theme of the 2023 Tigers.
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Andy Ibanez seems an improvement offensively for less salary.
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When you look up the definition of a last place, inconsistent player, you will see a picture of Jeimer Candelario. The Tigers need to move on from this guy.
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Colt Keith appears to be one of the few genuine hitting prospects in the Tiger minor league system. I would consider a short-term upgrade at third base, thinking Keith could be ready as soon as the 2024 season. Scott Harris may take a more aggressive approach, throwing in major chips for possible playoff bid next season. Everyone knows the Giants achieved a remarkable turnaround in 2021, posting a .660 record in Harris’ second season with the club. It’s also worth noting the Giants finished .500 this season. That’s just .017 higher their 2020 mark and .025 above their 2019 mark.
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I’m for any option that does not include Candelario. Piece together 3B with Ibanez and maybe Kreidler. Colt Keith tore up high A and the Arizona Fall League. He should start in Erie next year and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he could get a call up by the end of the year or at least start in 2024. I don’t want to commit to someone long term until we see what he does next season.
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But how’s his defense? What little I’ve found on that hasn’t been encouraging, yet those skills are just as important as the offensive ones. I heard as many complaints last season about Candy’s bad defense as I heard about his lousy offense. So unless Keith can be an improvement on both sides of the ball, he’s not necessarily the longer term option we want – or need.
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I hope Colt improves, but penciling him in as the solution is a classic Avila strategy. I am also unpersuaded that Ibanez or Kreidler are anything more than utility guys. Solution for ‘23 is outside the organization I suspect.
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If nothing else happens, Ibanez can be our starting 3B and cheaper without any loss, perhaps some gain. Meanwhile Candy can either sign cheaper with us or try free agency.
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A wise old boss of mine once told me that in any company or organization, you are either part of the problem or part of the solution. Candelario needs to go and now is the time to move on from him. The End.
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Andy Ibanez is not, and never will be, a viable alternative at 3B for the Tigers. He is very similar to JC. This season he hit just .217 with an OPS of .550. He hit just one HR in 119 AB’s. His 2021 output was better, but in average only. He is a new face, so that makes him attractive, but he isn’t a better face. The grass is just the same on his hill as on JC’s hill. Time to look elsewhere.
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I agree completely. We are suffering from Candy fatigue and other commenters are fancifully elevating the alternatives in the system. Hopefully Harris can find a third way.
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I agree with you too. I’d say the same about for Kreidler,, Clemens, and W Castro. If they move on from candelario, they have to have an alternative better than hope.
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Assuming that outside options are not viable, which may not be the case, I would rather have Hittin’ Harold at third and invest the financial difference in upgrades elsewhere,.
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Hey, Miggie and Tork have played third. But seriously, it is time to think out of the box and swing a sweet trade for an upgrade who is not currently in the system. Keith may be the answer down the line but we should know better than to wait for “prospects” by filling in with duds while we wait.
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I was a Candelario fan up until this year. He showed enough flashes with the bat and seemed to play 3rd decently. Never saw him as a star but someone who would be a dependable player. Sadly, this year’s performance and his -I don’t need to change anything, just keep doing what I always do -attitude lost me.
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I kind of got the same vibe off him this year, a “too cool for school vibe”. I am not sure what would have brought that on, but I figure it’s time to move on from the Candy Man.
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This is one of those situations, where the tigers need a true professional and knowledgeable hitting coach to do a deep analysis of what if any, can be done to restore him. To many tigers move on to become great after leaving. Let’s be sure before we waste him.
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Yes .
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The real question is can Candelario embrace the new conditioning/training systems and develop the plate discipline Harris seeks? Oh until he can prove that he signs for less.
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Agree. Non-tender him and maybe sign him at a lower price. A lot of players have gone on to other teams and blossomed. The 2023 Tigers are redesigned, coach-wise, so let that new team be us if keeping JC makes sense. Arbitration and higher salary for a lousy season is an awful sign to other players and the fans…doubt that will happen.
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A change of scenery for both Candy and the Tigers seems entirely appropriate. Finding a regular starting position for Harold Castro would be smart. Why not give him a try at 3rd base?
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Why not? Well, it’s a matter of “defense, defense, defense”. Last year Harold’s success rate at 3rd was 59%, OAA -6, and DRS -9.
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They need to move on from Candy, he has regressed defensively and he continues to lose focus since the Gardy days. More than ready for a Castro free lineup, Harris needs to keep the broom out.
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The scouting report ( not tigers media propaganda) had jc as a okey/good glove with less than average bat. In his(window of ability) he pretty much dead centered it or you can say scouts had it right. So as he moves up in cost it’s time to move on.
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The problem is the Tigers have no Plan B or C at third. Candy was a bargain the two previous years. If your boss said, I need to cut your projected salary if you want to come back (forgetting you over-achieved for the two years before and were grossly underpaid) that won’t go over well in the locker room, either. If Candy rebounds, you have your LH infielder Scott Harris wants. If not, maybe Keith is ready of FA or trade. But Candy showed too much to jettison him now.
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Maybe if he concentrated on just hitting from his natural side (RH) he may have better success. Simplify things when you’re struggling.
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