Cubs can now rule out a potential reunion with this veteran corner infielder

Third time's a charm, right? Well, we'll never know - at least not when it comes to the Chicago Cubs and Jeimer Candelario. The veteran infielder, who has had two stints on the North Side, the first from 2016-17 and the second in 2023, has a new home after signing a minor league deal with the New York Yankees this weekend.

Candelario, 31, signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds following the 2023 campaign - a deal that never made sense given that team's wildly crowded infield picture. Still, the hope was the switch-hitter could bring his 40-double power to Great American Ballpark and help the Reds return to relevancy in the National League Central.

Instead, the deal quickly went sideways. While he was at least usable in year one of the deal, slashing .225/.279/.429, he was downright disastrous in limited action this season, posting a 12 OPS+ in 91 plate appearances. That production led Cincinnati to designate him for assignment, leaving them on the hook for all but the prorated league minimum for the year, which will be paid by the Yankees - not to mention the third year of the deal ($13 million) and a $3 million buyout of the team option for 2027.

Cubs need infield depth, but Jeimer Candelario heads to New York

The Cubs continue to search for infield depth capable of handling third base as rookie Matt Shaw's offensive struggles continue. After an 0-for-3 showing in Saturday's loss, his OPS is down to .586 on the year, well below the league average mark of .715. Any position player added this month is going to be at least somewhat versed at the hot corner - plain and simple.

Candelario only made sense in that he costs next to nothing and wouldn't necessarily prevent Jed Hoyer from making additional moves ahead of the deadline. He's battled injuries and is two years removed from being even a league-average bat. Now, he joins a Yankees team in dire need of infield production that finds itself three games out of first in the AL East after squandering a seven-game advantage.

For New York, it's essentially a no-risk move. If he can somehow sort himself out, great. If not, he'll be back on the open market soon enough and will look to latch on somewhere else via a minor-league pact.