The Orioles introduced that they’ve declined their membership choice on outfielder/designated hitter Eloy Jiménez. They may have retained him for 2025 with a wage of $16.5MM however will as a substitute give him a $3MM buyout and ship him to free company. The Sox are protecting half of that buyout as a part of the commerce that despatched him to Baltimore this summer season.
The choice is an unsurprising one. Jiménez has often been a potent slugger however the accidents have piled up in recent times and he simply wrapped up the worst season of his profession. The Orioles acquired him from the White Sox on the deadline, hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with a buy-low transfer nevertheless it didn’t pan out. He completed the yr with a .238/.289/.336 batting line and 78 wRC+.
Jiménez is among the slower gamers within the league and doesn’t present defensive worth. He solely spent eight innings within the discipline this yr, none with the Orioles. Given the restricted profile, he actually must be producing on the plate with a purpose to be helpful.
That has been the case earlier than. Via the top of 2022, he was sporting a profession line of .276/.327/.504 and a 123 wRC+. He was usually injured throughout that point however clearly a productive hitter when on the sphere. The Sox had given him a $43MM extension earlier than he even made his main league debut and he appeared to be making good on that funding for some time.
In 2023, he stayed wholesome sufficient to get into 120 video games, simply two shy of his profession excessive. However the outcomes dipped, as his .272/.317/.441 line led to a 105 wRC+. As talked about, his efficiency fell even additional this yr. Because the Sox had been taking part in out their traditionally unhealthy season this yr, they flipped him to the O’s on the deadline for minor league reliever Trey McGough, protecting a lot of the cash left on the contract with a purpose to get the deal carried out.
Now a free agent, some membership will undoubtedly take an opportunity on Jiménez primarily based on his previous efficiency. However his poor well being observe document and up to date struggles will restrict him to a modest base wage, maybe with incentives for him to probably unlock if he’s in a position to keep wholesome and return to type. He’s nonetheless pretty younger, turning 28 later this month, so a bounceback isn’t completely out of the query.
