Rays Signal Eloy Jimenez To Minor League Deal

3:13 pm: Based on reviews, Jimenez will obtain a assured wage of $2 million if he joins the crew Hector Gomez from Z101 Digital. He might earn a further $2 million in taking part in time incentives.

12:13 PM: The Rays have agreed with designated hitter Eloy Jimenez to a minor league deal, in keeping with a report from ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. The deal is meant to incorporate an invite to main league spring coaching.

The 28-year-old Jimenez signed with the Cubs from the Dominican Republic as an newbie worldwide, and made his skilled debut in 2014. He rapidly rose up the prospect rankings and was ultimately drafted alongside Dylan stopped Within the cross-town commerce that introduced Jose Quintana To Wrigley Subject. Jimenez’s star prospect continued to shine with the White Sox, and so they ultimately signed him to a contract Long term deal Earlier than making his big-league debut in 2019. The $43 million assure gave Chicago management of Jimenez for eight seasons in a file deal for a prospect who has but to make his main league debut.

The deal initially seemed like a coup because the slugger burst onto the scene within the main leagues with a fourth-place end in AL Rookie of the Yr voting in 2019 earlier than Jimenez slashed .295/.332/.559 (138 wRC+) with 14 at-bats. In simply 55 video games through the shortened 2020 season. Jimenez’s stellar offense helped lead the White Sox to their first playoff look since 2008, and whereas they fell out of first place in three video games, it seemed as if the South Siders have been positioned to compete for years to return with Jimenez as a key a part of the core. .

Sadly, issues didn’t prove that manner. Jiménez was restricted to only 139 video games and 558 rides over the subsequent two seasons attributable to a myriad of accidents, and whereas he registered a 125 WRC+ throughout that interval, the misplaced time mixed with Jiménez’s lackluster on-field protection noticed Chicago slip by means of. Its roughly a full time DH to any extent further. Whereas Jimenez remained wholesome sufficient to play 120 video games in 2023, his offense left so much to be desired as he hit simply .272/.317/.441 with 18 homers in 489 journeys to the plate. That was good for a 105 wRC+ which, whereas above common, left him as a roughly alternative degree DH (0.6 fWAR).

After dropping 101 video games in 2023, the White Sox have been actually hoping Jimenez would rebound sufficient in 2024 to construct his commerce worth and purchase an fascinating piece or two for the rebuild they started by buying and selling away Dylan Stop and operating again Tim AndersonMembership choice through the vacation interval. Sadly, the slugger did nothing however put up the worst efficiency of his profession in 2024. In 98 video games with the White Sox and Orioles, Jimenez hit a paltry .238/.289/.336 and was price -0.9 fWAR . This below-replacement-level manufacturing made it simple for Baltimore to half methods with him this winter, making him a free agent for the primary time in his profession.

That led him to the Rays, who’re coming off a disappointing 2024 season largely due to a lackluster offense. Given Jimenez’s offensive struggles, he is hardly assured to assist out. However including a bat together with his potential upside on a minor league deal cannot damage the membership’s efforts to discipline a stronger lineup in 2025, and even when Jimenez solely manages the 105 wRC+ he posted in 2023, it could nonetheless be an improve over the 97 wRC+ the Rays rolled out From their DH slot final 12 months. If Jimenez makes the roster out of camp, he might be becoming a member of children like himself Christopher Morrell, Jonathan Arandaand Johnny DeLuca In competitors for taking part in time within the outfield and at DH.