With trade deadline looming, Candelario keeps producing

Jeimer Candelario tries his best not to think about it. There’s always another game to prepare for, batting practice to take, grounders to field. That’s how he keeps his mind off the subject everyone else wants to bring up with him: Next week’s trade deadline.

“You know how it is: I want to be able to live day by day,” the Nationals third baseman said. “I know the deadline is there, but I don’t want to pay attention to that. I want to keep going, helping my team where I’m at. Right now, I’m here. And I want to control what I can control right here.”

The Nationals have no superstars on the block this late July. Max Scherzer and Trea Turner were dealt two summers ago. Juan Soto and Josh Bell were dealt last year. The best chip they’ve got is Candelario, who is enjoying a strong season and is due to be a free agent, and that makes him far and away the most likely player on the roster to be moved before the Aug. 1 deadline.

Candelario, who signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Nats last winter after getting non-tendered by the Tigers, has professed his desire to stay in D.C. He’s performed well, and on Monday night delivered his 16th homer of the season to match Lane Thomas for the team lead, to go along with 28 doubles, 50 RBIs and an .821 OPS. He’s also played solid defense and would be a welcome addition for any contending team in need of help at third base.

Despite the noise surrounding him, Candelario has managed to continue to play well. He’s now hit six homers in July, more than any previous month.

“It’s just hard work paying off,” said the 29-year-old, who hit just .217/.272/.361 last season in Detroit. “At the end of the day, I’m looking forward to helping my team win. For me, that’s the more important thing, that I’m putting myself in a good position to contribute and help my team win. Every day, I’ve got to perform. And that’s one of those things that I really love this year: I’ve been consistent and helping my team.”

With top third base prospect Brady House inching closer to the big leagues but likely not ready to debut until late 2024 or early 2025, there’s a case to be made for the Nationals keeping Candelario and taking advantage of his consistency and experience until the kid is ready to take over.

He seems agreeable to the idea. But he also knows few players in his current position aren’t dealt at the deadline. So he tries not to think about it and just make the most of whatever opportunity he’s given right now.

“Everything you put in your mind, you’re going to do so,” he said. “I take it day by day. I talk to my wife, and I talk to my teammates. Just chill. I want to live day by day, and that’s something I can’t control. I like where I am right now, and I’m going to enjoy it.”