The Reds are in ongoing discu sions with free agent infielder , Jon Morosi of MLB.com, adding that Cincinnati has emerged as the front-runner to sign the switch-hitter. Univisons that the two parties were in serious talks and that the Reds were a finalist to sign Candelario, who is represented by Premier Talent Sports & Entertainment. Prior reporting has pegged the Nationals, Blue Jays, Angels and D-backs as teams with interest in Candelario (although Arizona has since acquired , likely removing them from the mix). While the Reds are an unexpected fit for Candelario at first glance, given the clubs glut of young infield talent, they were first linked to him several weeks ago. that the Reds met with Candelarios reps twice during this weeks Winter Meetings and could look to add Candelario to the roster, thus pushing utilityman to the outfield and po sibly opening the door for the Reds to deal an infielder for rotation help. Candelario, 30, is coming off one of the finest seasons of his career, having turned in a combined .251/.336/.471 batting line with 22 home runs (a career-high), 39 doubles, three triples and an 8-for-9 showing in stolen base attempts. That production came in a season split between the Nationals, who signed him to a one-year $5MM deal after the Tigers non-tendered him last winter, and the Cubs, who originally signed Candelario, traded him to Detroit in 2017, and reacquired him this past July. Prior to his big Gary Trent Jr. Jersey league debut, Candelario was a touted prospect who ranked near the top of the farm systems in both Chicago and Detroit. He enjoyed an impre sive rookie showing in 2017 (.283/.359/.425 in 38 games) but struggled to replicate that production in 2018 and saw his offense crater in 2019. Candelario bounced back with the Tigers both in 2020 and 2021, but Detroit cut him loose after a down year in 2022, wherein he posted a .217/.272/.361 slash in 467 plate appearances. Though Candelarios time with the Tigers came to an unceremonious end, he rebounded nicely between Washington and Chicago this past season and positioned himself nicely for a multi-year deal in free agency this winter. Between the 2020 season, when he hit .297/.369/.503 in the shortened 60-game campaign, and his strong 2021 and 2023 showings, Candelario has now played at a roughly three- to four-WAR pace in three of his past four seasons. If the Reds ultimately convince Candelario to put pen to paper, itll create more questions than answers in Cincinnati. Its clear the Reds are strong believers in Candelarios upside, but Cincinnati also arguably has more infield talent than any team in MLB. Prospects , , and all made their MLB debuts this past season, with McLain emerging as a viable Rookie of the Year candidate and the others performing quite well in smaller samples. Meanwhile, former top prospect , who debuted late in the 2022 season, was pushed to an infield/outfield role and delivered a terrific first full MLB season, hitting .271/.356/.464 with 23 big flies and 15 steals. That doesnt even include 2021 NL Rookie of the Year , whos established himself as a leader in the Reds clubhouse even as his bat has taken a step back after a standout rookie showing. Adding Candelario to that mix, presumably at third base, could come at the expense of playing time for Marte the presumptive starter at third base would create a veritable embarra sment of riches. Of course, that surplus would exist at a time when the free-agent market for bats infielders, in particular is historically thin. The Reds unexpectedly jumping into the market for one of the top free-agent infielders would simultaneously le sen the supply for other clubs in free agency and strengthen their negotiation stance in trade talks for pitching help. To this point, its not clear which, if any, of the Reds infielders have drawn the most interest on the market. India was reported to be a trade candidate early in the offseason (and was also asked about frequently leading into the trade deadline), but Cincinnati GM Nick Krall has since suggested he expects India to be on the Reds roster in 2024. De La Cruz was so touted prior to his debut that its difficult to see Cincinnati seriously considering a trade. Similarly, McLains electric .290/.357/.507 debut would appear especially painful for the Reds to surrender in a trade. Theres no easy answer for Cincinnati when it comes to dealing from that infield cache, but if the Reds ultimately sign Candelario, the pre sure of such a decision could be le sened. As far as potential rotation targets for Krall & Co., options abound. The Reds already signed giving them a veteran complement to a young staff of , , , and but theyve also been linked to names like , and in trade rumblings. There are various paths the Reds can take, and if they can manage to add Candelario and subsequently deal another infielder to acquire a rotation arm at a lower rate, itll be a nice albeit unexpected sleight of hand for a Cincinnati front office that typically operates on a tight budget. Al-Farouq Aminu Jersey