LAKELAND, Fla. — Jeimer Candelario is on the phone.
He is sitting inside his car in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. The Detroit Tigers‘ third baseman just wrapped up his 7 a.m. run on the beach, followed by a trip to the weight room, and is about to drive to batting practice.
Candelario wants to know about spring training.
“Are the coaches over there?” he asked Friday.
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Indeed, there are three Tigers coaches observing — but not instructing — activities at the spring training complex: manager AJ Hinch, pitching coach Chris Fetter and quality control coach Josh Paul.
Because of MLB’s lockout, members of the Tigers’ 40-man roster, such as Candelario, cannot use team facilities, and they aren’t allowed to communicate with team employees. Meanwhile, 62 players not included on the 40-man roster are participating in the club’s minor-league minicamp.
“I’m just hoping everything goes the right way and we can play baseball,” Candelario said. “That’s what we want. We want to play baseball. We want to give the fans our best, and we want to give them some games. We want to play games.”
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MLB announced Friday spring training games, scheduled to begin Feb. 26, will not start until at least March 5 due to the lockout instituted by MLB owners after the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement.
MLB and the MLB Players Association will meet Monday to continue negotiations about a new collective bargaining agreement.
“We regret that, without a collective bargaining agreement in place, we must postpone the start of spring training games until no earlier than Saturday, March 5th,” MLB said in a statement. “All 30 clubs are unified in their strong desire to bring players back to the field and fans back to the stands.”
In response, the MLBPA’s statement: “MLB announced today that it ‘must’ postpone the start of spring training games. This is false. Nothing requires the league to delay the start of spring training, much like nothing required the league’s decision to implement the lockout in the first place. Despite those decisions by the league, players remain committed to the negotiating process.”
This isn’t how Candelario wanted his 2022 to begin.
Candelario, 28, should be in Lakeland right now, preparing for Monday’s first full-squad workout with fellow veteran position players Miguel Cabrera, Javier Baez, Jonathan Schoop, Tucker Barnhart and Robbie Grossman, along with the rest of the big-league crew.
None of those players are in town.
“It’s different, but I’m taking this moment to prepare myself the best way I can,” Candelario said. “I’m just taking advantage of the moments to put in the work. If I put in the work the right way, good things will happen.”
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Candelario led the Tigers in 2021 with a 3.2 fWAR, and he tied Bryce Harper, J.D. Martinez and Whit Merrifield with an MLB-best 42 doubles. He added a .271 batting average, .351 on-base percentage and 16 home runs in 149 games.
His 4.8 fWAR is a team high over the past two seasons.
“The best way to think is you have to be ready,” Candelario said. “That’s the best mindset you can have. You got to be ready. … I’m putting in a lot of work on my body. I’m working my body; I’m working my mental side. I’m focused on quality (work) and getting better.”
When Monday rolls around, Candelario will be in the Dominican Republic awaiting the latest information about labor negotiations. To have Opening Day on March 31, MLB informed the MLBPA that a new collective bargaining agreement must be agreed upon by Feb. 28.
In Lakeland, the Tigers’ top prospects — first baseman Spencer Torkelson and outfielder Riley Greene — will report to minor-league minicamp Monday for full-squad workouts. Both players reached Triple-A Toledo last season and could make Detroit’s Opening Day roster.
Candelario, the back-to-back Tiger of the Year winner, can’t wait for them to join the squad.
“We have a really good farm system,” Candelario said. “Tork and Greene, that’s some really good talent. They’ve done a good job with Double-A and Triple-A, and man, I’m excited for them. When the opportunity comes for them, I know they’re going to take advantage and make the most of it. I’m excited for them to come to the big leagues and contribute.”
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To go with those expected debuts, the Tigers committed $217 million to free-agent signings before the lockout, highlighted by Baez’s six-year, $140 million contract. (The organization also inked left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez to a five-year, $77 million deal.)
Baez, a shortstop, hit .265 with 31 home runs, 87 RBIs, 28 walks and 184 strikeouts in 138 games for the Chicago Cubs (91 games) and New York Mets (47 games) last season, chipping in 18 stolen bases.
Candelario and Baez grew up together in the Cubs’ farm system.
“He’s a Gold Glover,” Candelario said. “He’s going to be a really good addition for our young team. He’s got a lot of experience and is a veteran now. He’s going to bring a lot to the table for us, and we’re going to look to him for a lot of things. We’re going to have some fun.”
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The Tigers demolished worst-in-the-league projections in 2021 — without Baez, Rodriguez, Barnhart, Torkelson and Greene — and finished 77-85 in Hinch’s first year as the team’s manager.
Still, the franchise hasn’t made the playoffs since 2014.
Once MLB activity starts up again, what should Tigers fans expect?
“The postseason,” Candelario said. “That’s our mindset, and that’s what we’re going to do. Let’s see what happens, man. We’re going to put in the work. We’re going to play the game the right way as a team. We know we have a really good team.
“A lot of good things are going to happen. I know that.”
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.