In the midst of one of their most complicated streaks of the season, the New York Yankees, who were on a five-game losing streak before Saturday and fell again to the Mets in the “Subway Series”, extending their losing streak to six games, have made a decision that many would call surprising. The team has reached an agreement with Dominican infielder Jeimer Candelario on a minor league contract.
The news of Candelario’s signing comes just days after he was released by the Cincinnati Reds. This decision is noteworthy, not so much because of Candelario’s name, but because of the context of his recent performance and his previous contract. The Yankees, mired in a crisis of results that has affected their morale and tested their consistency, are betting on a player who needs to regain his level.
For the Yankees, the signing of Candelario does not represent an immediate commitment to the Major League roster, as he will be integrated into the organization’s minor league system. This is a low-risk, high-reward gamble. It does not involve a large salary investment, but it opens the door for the Dominican to return to the highest level if he can prove that he still has something to offer.
Candelario’s performance raises doubts
Jeimer Candelario, 31, had signed a substantial three-year, $37 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds prior to the 2024 season. However, his performance with the Ohio organization was well below expectations from the time he arrived
His offensive line was alarmingly poor (.111/.198/.213) in 22 games, with just three runs scored, nine hits and three doubles. In addition, in 2024, he posted a .707 OPS and a dismal 0-7 WAR. This drop in performance led the Reds to a difficult decision: to release him, taking on the burden of his remaining salary.
Yankees’ losing streak
The New York Yankees are going through one of the most challenging periods of their 2025 season. They are currently in the midst of a six-game losing streak, their worst run of the campaign and the second time in less than a month that they have fallen in six straight games. This run of poor results has seen them lose their lead in the American League East, falling three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays.
The situation has become especially worrying with recent defeats to their crosstown rivals, the New York Mets, including a painful 12-6 loss in the second game of the weekend series.
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