MLB trade grades: Cubs poach big bat from Nats for playoff push

MLB trade grades for the Chicago Cubs landing third baseman Jeimer Candelario in a trade with the Washington Nationals before the deadline. 

Whenever Washington Nationals third baseman Jeimer Candelario was scratched from the lineup on Monday, just 24 hours before the MLB trade deadline, it felt like something was brewing. Sure enough, that was true, with the big bat and one of the most coveted lineup upgrades on the trade market now heading to the Chicago Cubs.

The deal was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

The Cubs, at one point, were thought to be big-time sellers who could move either Marcus Stroman or Cody Bellinger at the deadline. After winning eight of their last nine games to close the NL Central gap to just four games and the wild card gap to only 3.5 games, they pivoted and did so quickly. Now they have a big-time upgrade in Candelario coming to town.

So let’s take a look at the full Jeimer Candelario trade for the Cubs and Nationals before we hand out MLB trade grades to both teams for the deal.

Jeimer Candelario trade details: Cubs, Nationals make big-name swap

Here’s a look at the full trade for Jeimer Candelario with the Cubs sending a pair of Top 20 prospects to Washington.

The Cubs are sending two valuable prospects who could be part of the future in Washington, but aren’t giving up any of their Top 10 players in their system. Moreover, neither prospect is above Double-A yet in their journey to the majors.

MLB trade grades: Cubs pivot from sellers to big-time buyers for Jeimer Candelario

Getting one of the biggest bats at the deadline was always going to be costly, but you have to love what the Cubs did in order to give the lineup a massive upgrade.

Candelario has led the Nationals qualifying players in OPS (.823) and WAR (3.3) this season while tying for the team lead in home runs (16) and also setting the pace with 30 doubles as well. Adding that type of production to a lineup that has already been a top-end team at the plate in MLB this season could be absolutely huge.

Had Chicago not gone on a recent winning streak, they might’ve been selling on guys like Stroman and Bellinger. Instead, they’re making one of the biggest lineup upgrades at the trade deadline and still maintaining their future core by not giving up any of their current Top 10 prospects — players who could also be dealt if there are more moves for the Cubs to make — which is especially important for a two-month rental.

Cubs Trade Grade: A

MLB trade grades: Nationals sell big again with Jeimer Candelario deal

It’s all a matter of perspective when it comes to the Nats. The fact of the matter is that the club has been in sell mode at virtually every trade deadline since winning a World Series. And this undoubtedly fits right in line with that.

Getting a pair of Top 20 prospects, albeit not major-league ready guys, is a win for Washington. This team, if it’s going to compete, has to build up its core and that has been the M.O. of the front office since they dealt Juan Soto at the 2022 deadline.

Candelario was surely gone after this season, so landing a pair of prospects who have high upside and could be valuable assets either on the roster or in possible future trades for the Nationals is a good move for the outlook of the organization.

Nationals Trade Grade: B+