2024-07-31 12:10:01
BALTIMORE — Eloy Jiménez is a former Silver Slugger with 30-homer potential; his powerful bat has flashed what it can do at various times throughout his six-year MLB career. The 27-year-old just hasn’t been able to stay healthy.
The Orioles will be hoping Jiménez can stay on the field and soon return to form, which is why they’re taking a chance on the slugger.
Baltimore acquired Jiménez and cash considerations from the White Sox on Tuesday in a deal that sent Minor League left-hander Trey McGough to Chicago.
TRADE DETAILS
Orioles receive: DH/OF Eloy Jiménez, cash considerations (via CHW), OF Austin Slater, INF Livan Soto, cash considerations (via CIN)
White Sox receive: LHP Trey McGough
Reds receive: PTBNL or cash considerations
“We hope we can get Eloy on a heater,” general manager Mike Elias said on MASN during Tuesday’s 6-2 win over the Blue Jays at Camden Yards.
Jiménez was named an American League Silver Slugger in 2020, when he recorded a career-best .891 OPS with 14 homers in 55 games during the pandemic-shortened season. He has 94 home runs over six big league seasons, 31 of which came during his ’19 rookie campaign.
This year, Jiménez is slashing .240/.297/.345 with nine doubles, five homers and 16 RBIs in 65 games. He spent time on the injured list earlier this season with a left adductor strain and a left hamstring strain.
Jiménez has been hampered by injuries throughout his career, playing only 139 games across the 2021 and ‘22 seasons, then 120 in ‘23. When healthy, though, the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native has proven he can be a potent part of a lineup.
Baltimore wanted to add a right-handed hitter after trading outfielder Austin Hays to Philadelphia on Friday in exchange for right-handed reliever Seranthony Domínguez and outfielder Cristian Pache. The club also acquired right-handed-hitting outfielder Austin Slater in a deal with Cincinnati, a transaction that also brought infielder Livan Soto back to the O’s.
“We’re adding a couple right-handed hitters,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “We felt like that was important to give us some more options against left-handed pitching.”
Jiménez broke into the big leagues as an outfielder, but he’s mostly served as a designated hitter in recent years. He’s made only one defensive appearance this season (eight innings in right field), with his other 61 games coming at DH.
Since the start of 2023, Jiménez has made 161 starts at DH and only 15 in the outfield.
The Orioles haven’t had a set designated hitter in recent years, using that spot to rotate through players. However, Jiménez could get a lot of starts there when the team is facing a left-handed starter moving forward.
Jiménez is making $13.8 million this season and has club options for each of the next two years: $16.5 million for ‘25 and $18.5 million for ‘26.
This is a low-risk, potentially high-reward move for the O’s, who didn’t have to part with a notable prospect and could get a big offensive boost should Jiménez return to his old form.
