The Cincinnati Reds got this one wrong.
Before last season, they dished out a three-year, $45 million contract to Jeimer Candelario. But the third baseman hasn't delivered.
On Monday, the Reds designated Candelario for assignment. That removes him from the 40-man roster and puts him on waivers to be potentially claimed by another MLB team.
Candelario just returned from injury in conjunction with the move. If he passes through waivers and doesn't elect free agency, he would report to Triple-A Louisville.
In the majors this season, the 31-year old switch hitter was batting just .113 in 80 at bats.
Last season, Candelario did hit 20 homers, but he was just a .225 hitter with a .279 on-base percentage.
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He was a more promising player in his six MLB seasons with the Tigers that came after he rose through the Cubs' system.
Candelario hit .251 between the Cubs and Nationals in 2023 to help bring him to Cincinnati, but the move didn't pan out.
He's still under contract for another $13 million in 2026, so it seems unlikely his deal would get claimed on the waiver wire.
The Reds may have to find a different way to get rid of this bad deal, but they've taken the first steps with the DFA on Monday.
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