Cubs trade with the Nationals for third baseman Jeimer Candelario

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 25: Jeimer Candelario #9 of the Washington Nationals drives in a run with a double in the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Nationals Park on July 25, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

by: Scott Leber

Posted: Jul 31, 2023 / 07:08 PM CDT

Updated: Jul 31, 2023 / 07:08 PM CDT

CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) – The Chicago Cubs have acquired infielder Jeimer Candelario and a cash consideration from the Washington Nationals for minor league left-handed pitcher DJ Herz and minor league infielder Kevin Made.

Candelario, 29, hit .258 with 30 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs, 53 RBI and an .823 OPS in 99 games with Washington this season. He entered Monday third in the N.L. in doubles and tied for sixth with 48 extra-base hits. Candelario leads N.L. third basemen in fWAR (3.1), doubles and extra-base hits while his OPS is third and .481 slugging mark is fourth.

Candelario returns to the Cubs organization after he was signed by Chicago as a non-drafted free agent in October of 2010, making his major league debut in five games with Chicago in 2016. He was traded to Detroit with infielder Isaac Paredes in a deal for catcher Alex Avila and pitcher Justin Wilson at the 2017 trade deadline.

Candelario is due to become a free agent at the end of this season.

Herz, 22, was selected by Chicago in the eighth round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville, N.C. In 14 starts for Double-A Tennessee this season, he went 1-1 with a 3.97 ERA (26 ER/59.0 IP), 37 walks and 80 strikeouts.

Made, 20, hit .241 with 17 doubles, two triples, three home runs and 25 RBI in 70 games for High-A South Bend in his third professional season. He was signed by Chicago as a non-drafted free agent, July 2, 2019, out of the Dominican Republic.