Despite reports earlier this offseason suggesting designated hitter Eloy Jimenez could be on the move, but now it seems like he will open 2024 with the Chicago White Sox.
Bruce Levine of 670 The Score reports that the Chicago White Sox might not be moving designated hitter Eloy Jimenez after all.
“Very little interest” in Jimenez, according to Levine’s Sunday report.
General manager of the White Sox Chris Getz announced in November that he had been contacted regarding Jimenez. The Miami Marlins and Milwaukee Brewers were mentioned as potential destinations for Jimenez before to the MLB Trade Deadline that occurred last summer.
The well seems to have dried up for the 27-year-old power hitter over the past few months, however.
After hitting, Jimenez was fourth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2019, his first season in Major League Baseball.In 122 games, he finished with 267, 31 home runs, 79 RBI, a.828 OPS, and 1.5 WAR. In 2020, Jimenez participated in 55 games out of 60, batting.296 with 14 home runs, 41 RBI, a.891 OPS, and 1.4 WAR on his way to winning the Silver Slugger Award.
However, Jimenez has had difficulty staying in the starting lineup ever then.
Jimenez made only 55 appearances in 2021 and 84 in 2022. Despite participating in 120 games and having his best season in years in 2023, the slugger missed almost 40 games as a result of several trips to the injured list.
This past year, while batting, the Dominican Republic’s right-handed hitter recorded 18 home runs and 64 RBI.272 with a career-low 0.3 WAR and a.758 OPS.
As Jimenez approaches the last year of his deal that is guaranteed, he will be owed $13.8 million in 2024. In the next two offseasons, he will have the opportunity to select a team.
Jimenez would be entitled to a $3 million buyout if he doesn’t receive his $16.5 million in 2025 or $18.5 million in 2026.
With JD Martinez, Jorge Soler, and Rhys Hoskins still unsigned as seasoned free agents, Jimenez might be the best designated hitter available on the trade market. All three of those players are older than thirty and will probably command average yearly salaries that are comparable to Jimenez’s.