Yankees' Overlooked Free Agent Signs Minor-League Deal with Angels

Infielder Jeimer Candelario joins Los Angeles on a non-roster invite after brief stint with Yankees' Triple-A affiliate.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:15am

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Veteran infielder Jeimer Candelario, who joined the New York Yankees on a minor-league deal last July after being released by the Cincinnati Reds, has reportedly signed a minor-league contract with a non-roster invite to spring training with the Los Angeles Angels. Candelario never appeared in a major league game for the Yankees, batting .203/.289/.357 in 61 games for their Triple-A affiliate in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Why it matters

Candelario is a 10-year MLB veteran who had two seasons with over 3 bWAR in 2021 and 2023, so the Angels are taking a low-risk flier on him potentially returning to that level of production. However, with the Angels recently re-signing third baseman Yoan Moncada and having high hopes for first baseman Nolan Schanuel, Candelario may face an uphill battle to make the opening day roster.

The details

Candelario joined the Yankees last July on a minor-league deal after being released by the Cincinnati Reds, who were still paying a large portion of the 3-year, $45 million contract he had signed with them. In 61 games for the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Candelario hit .203/.289/.357, but never appeared in a major league game for New York. Now, the 32-year-old switch-hitter has signed a minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Angels, who will give him a non-roster invite to spring training.

  • Candelario joined the Yankees in July 2025 on a minor-league deal after being released by the Cincinnati Reds.
  • Candelario played 61 games for the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the 2025 season.

The players

Jeimer Candelario

A 10-year MLB veteran infielder who has had two seasons with over 3 bWAR, most recently in 2021 and 2023.

Yoan Moncada

The Los Angeles Angels' third baseman who they recently re-signed.

Nolan Schanuel

A first baseman for the Los Angeles Angels who the team has high hopes for.

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What they’re saying

“Candelario will receive a $780,000 salary if he makes the major league roster, which is within a few thousand bucks of the league minimum.”

— Jon Heyman, New York Post reporter (New York Post)

What’s next

Candelario will have to compete for a roster spot with the Angels during spring training, as the team recently re-signed third baseman Yoan Moncada and has high hopes for first baseman Nolan Schanuel.

The takeaway

This signing represents a low-risk, high-potential reward move for the Angels, as they look to add veteran depth and see if Candelario can recapture the form that made him a 3+ bWAR player in recent seasons. However, he faces an uphill battle to make the opening day roster given the Angels' current infield depth.