What Will Chicago Cubs Do With Jeimer Candelario In 2017
Chris Ransom Posted on 10/29/2016.
Iowa Cubs third baseman Jeimer Candelario had a .333 batting average, 9 home runs, and 54 RBI's in 2016. Candelario is not a complete 5-tool bat like current Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant.
Chicago has a young nucleus of infielders with Kris Bryant at third base, Addison Russell at shortstop, Javier Baez at second base, and Anthony Rizzo at first base. Rizzo is a pure first baseman, but the other three infielders have the versatility to play anywhere at infield whether it be first baseman, second baseman, shortstop, or third baseman. That's what makes Bryant, Russell, and Baez special defensively.
Candelario has a power bat to hit home runs, line drives, and grounders. He lacks the speed to be effective off bunts, but he's excellent defensively.
The 22-year-old third baseman, Candelario turns 23 just before Thanksgiving. It is hard to see Candelario being a player on the Cubs roster in 2017 unless Bryant, Russell, Baez, or Rizzo gets injured.
Chicago is an excellent situation here when it comes to developing Jeimer Candelario. The Chicago Cubs can either keep Candelario in Iowa until someone gets injured now that he's developed, or they can move him at the 2017 MLB Trade Deadline for another batter or pitcher.
It's tough to say what the Cubs will do in this situation. Jeimer Candelario is one guy the Cubs will have the luxury of moving at the 2017 MLB Trade Deadline if all of the Cubs infielders are healthy in 2017.
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