The Cubs were originally expected to be sellers at MLB's trade deadline, but a recent eight-game winning streak seems to have changed their plans.
The team made a splash on Monday by acquiring third baseman Jeimer Candelario from the Nationals in exchange for two minor-league prospects.
Candelario is in the midst of an impressive 2023 campaign after joining Washington as a free agent this offseason. The 29-year-old actually began his professional career with the Cubs and made his major league debut with the team in 2016.
Candelario spent most of his career with the Tigers. He established himself as a solid hitter and reliable third baseman while playing in Detroit from 2018 to 2022.
The acquisition of Candelario will be a boost to the Cubs' burgeoning postseason hopes. They currently sit in third place in the NL Central at 53-52, just three and a half games out of a wild card spot.
Here is everything you need to know about the deal that sent Jeimer Candelario to the Windy City:
MORE: Tracking latest deals, rumors ahead of MLB trade deadline
Jeimer Candelario trade details
- Cubs get: 3B Jeimer Candelario
- National get: LHP DJ Herz, SS Kevin Made
Candelario returns to the Cubs after 99 games with the Nationals in 2023. He is in the midst of an impressive season at the plate, with a .258/.342/.481 slash line and 16 home runs so far this year.
In return, Chicago sent the young duo of DJ Herz and Kevin Made to Washington.
Herz is a lefthanded pitcher who was ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 16 prospect in the Cubs' farm system. He posted 80 strikeouts to go with a 3.97 ERA in 59 innings this season for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies.
Made was ranked as the No. 14 Cubs prospect by MLB Pipeline. He is a solid defensive shortstop who has struggled in the batter's box at times during his young career. He posted a .241 batting average this season with three home runs and 63 hits for South Bend at the high-A level.
Jeimer Candelario career stats
| Year | Team | AB | H | HR | RBI | BA |
| 2016 | Cubs | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .091 |
| 2017 | Cubs | 33 | 5 | 1 | 3 | .152 |
| 2017 | Tigers | 94 | 31 | 2 | 13 | .330 |
| 2018 | Tigers | 539 | 121 | 19 | 54 | .224 |
| 2019 | Tigers | 335 | 68 | 8 | 32 | .203 |
| 2020 | Tigers | 185 | 55 | 7 | 29 | .297 |
| 2021 | Tigers | 557 | 75 | 16 | 67 | .271 |
| 2022 | Tigers | 429 | 49 | 13 | 50 | .217 |
| 2023 | Nationals | 368 | 57 | 16 | 53 | .258 |
