The White Sox traded Jiménez to the Orioles right before the MLB trade deadline.
The Orioles announced on Tuesday that they optioned former White Sox outfielder Eloy Jiménez to Triple-A Norfolk.
We have made the following roster moves:Â pic.twitter.com/AjsaWshbda
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 24, 2024
Jiménez, 27, had to approve the move to the minors, considering his service time in MLB. But the move would suggest he wants to remain with the Orioles organization. In 100 plate appearances with the Orioles (33 games), he is hitting .232 with one home run, seven RBIs, 23 strikeouts and four walks.
The White Sox completed a transaction that sent Jiménez to the Orioles just before the MLB trade deadline in July. In exchange, the Orioles traded White Sox reliever Trey McGough.
Jiménez was traded to the Orioles in the last year of his contract. He’s expected to make $13 million this season under the terms of his six-year, $43 million contract with the White Sox. According to Spotrac, the Orioles have two years to activate their club options. His 2025 option is valued $16.5 million, while the second is at $18.5 million.
Unfortunately, injuries have dominated the story of Jiménez’s time with the White Sox. He has averaged 95 games a season over the last five years, excluding the shortened 2020 Covid-19 season. Jiménez has played in 53% of possible games between 2021 and 2023.
He was once considered one of baseball’s top prospects, but he has yet to realize his full potential as a power hitter. He hit 31 home runs in his rookie season, which is remains his career high. His lifetime slugging percentage is.462, with an OPS of.780.
Jiménez is hitting.238 this season, with six home runs and 25 RBIs. He has 70 strikeouts and 22 walks. However, he has played 98 games in his career, which is tied for third most in a single season.
His deal completed the White Sox’s trade of Jose Quintana to the Cubs. In exchange, the White Sox obtained Matt Rose, Bryant Flete, Dylan Cease and Jiménez, who are all no longer part of the South Side.
“He helped the White Sox, you know, he really did,” Chris Getz stated shortly after moving Jiménez. “There’s a lot to be proud of, both for the organization and for Eloy. I know his injuries have damaged him and prevented him from becoming the player that many people expected him to be. But he is still young. He’ll get an opportunity with the Baltimore Orioles and perform at a high level. But he accomplished a lot while wearing a White Sox outfit.
