Former Reds who flopped last season are now making headlines before Opening Day

Spring training always brings about a surprise or two, but Cincinnati Reds fans have to be absolutely dumbfounded watching both Jeimer Candelario and Santiago Espinal find success with their new clubs in 2026.

Candelario signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Reds prior to 2024, but couldn't even make it halfway through his contract before he was released. Cincinnati designated Candelario for assignment last May.

Espinal joined the Reds two years ago as well, and was a reliable defender during McLain's injury-riddled 2024 season. But last year, the former All-Star struggled mightily, and after hitting just .243/.292/.282, Cincinnati outrighted off the 40-man roster this past winter.

But both Candelario and Espinal are expected to be part of the Opening Day festivities this season, albeit with different teams. In fact, Espinal has already been informed that he'll be part of Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Day roster, and Candelario has all but locked up a spot with the Los Angeles Angels.

Ex-Reds Jeimer Candelario and Santiago Espinal are finding success elsewhere

Candelario hit just .113/.198/.213 in 22 games for the Reds last year before being released. After signing a minor-league deal with the Angels this spring, he's hitting .256/.33/.674 with four home runs and 10 RBI through 17 Cactus League games. The Angels renegotiated Anthony Rendon's contract this offseason, and Candelario will likely see plenty of time at third base for the Halos to open the season.

Espinal has always been a glove-first player, but his bat has done the talking this spring. In 15 games with the Dodgers, the 31-year-old is hitting .389/.432/.639 with a 168 wRC+. The high batting average shouldn't surprise anyone, but those power numbers are something Reds fans never saw when Espinal was playing in Cincinnati. He didn't crack a single home run in 2025, but has two this spring.

The Reds have a homestand against the Angels in early-April, so there's a chance that Candelario could be visiting his old stomping grounds during the first few weeks of the season. But the Reds and Dodgers don't lock horns until the final month of the 2026 season. If Espinal is still on LA's roster by then, the Dodgers have either been crippled by injuries, or he's having an All-Star campaign.

Congratulations are in order for both Candelario and Espinal. It didn't end the way they'd hoped in Cincy, but both players are finding a new lease on life out in LA.