The White Sox announced this morning that slugger Eloy Jimenez has been cleared to begin a minor league rehab assignment this weekend. Jimenez, who suffered a ruptured pectoral tendon during Spring Training and has yet to play in 2021, will start out with Class-A Advanced Winston-Salem.
Minor league rehab assignments can last up to 30 days, so this doesn’t necessarily mean that Jimenez will be back with the Sox in the very near future, but it effectively places a clock on his return to the roster (barring any kind of setback). Assuming all goes well with the rehab, it seems he’s on track to return on the more optimistic end of the four- to five-month recovery period the White Sox placed on him after he underwent surgery back on March 30.
It’s a welcome development for a White Sox club whose roster has been hammered by injuries to key players. Center fielder Luis Robert suffered a Grade 3 hip flexor strain in early May that came with a 12- to 16-week recovery period. Nick Madrigal’s season is over due to a torn hamstring that required surgery. Yasmani Grandal underwent surgery to repair a tendon in his knee this week.
Despite losing some of their best players for half the season or more, the Sox have run away with the feeble American League Central. The rival Twins have been perhaps baseball’s most disappointing team in 2021, while the Indians have lost their top three starters to injury and have plummeted in the standings while their replacements have posted a combined 6.87 ERA over the past month. Kansas City’s offseason spending hasn’t produced a winner on the field, and the Tigers are in what they hope to be the final stages of what has felt like an interminable rebuild.
That’s not to detract from what the ChiSox have accomplished. Few would have been surprised to see the team wilt with so many major injuries. The front office deserves credit both for bringing in veteran Brian Goodwin, who has helped to stabilize the outfield with a .253/.349/.493 batting line in his first 22 games, and for generally cultivating a deep farm system over the past several years. Prospects Gavin Sheets and Jake Burger have both hit the ground running in their big league debuts, for instance.
The Chicago pitching staff, meanwhile, has been the backbone of the club’s success. Spearheaded by offseason acquisition Lance Lynn and a remarkable breakout by Carlos Rodon, Sox starting pitchers rank seventh in the Majors with a collective 3.62 earned run average.
The general thought has been that the White Sox will be looking for help in the outfield and/or at second base in the three weeks leading up to the July 30 trade deadline. That Jimenez is already on the mend and perhaps on track to be back in the lineup by early August could directly impact the team’s strategy. The Sox recently designated Adam Eaton for assignment, but they’ve been more prominently linked to infield acquisitions thus far — namely Eduardo Escobar and Adam Frazier. An apparently looming Jimenez return can only make GM Rick Hahn and his staff feel better about the outlook in the outfield, whereas second base is still a fairly obvious area to upgrade.
At DH, I hope.
And Luis right behind him!
A DH is all he’ll ever be
And DH is more than enough.
*ChiSox_Fan your right about that !!
Why is it bad if Jimenez only plays DH?
An above-average hitter with 35-45 HRs/season below market value for production — if all compromises look that good.
@bbcalm
You are absolutely correct, a DH is all he will ever be. Personally I cannot wait, to see Eloy ‘patrolling’ the OF for the Chisox. Lol, that is so fun to watch, for its comedic value.
The best option for the Chisox, is to trade him now, for a 2B and a RP or two.
Can’t wait for “Boner” to sit back and watch the ChiSox cruise to a 2021 WS Championships.
First of many WS wins this decade for the Sox while the “flubs” start all over again with their rebuild and no core to build around!
Chisox fan, the best part of this article, is the apt description of the AL Central as, feeble.
I think that is actually overrated.
Dogbone, you are a typing endorsement for the mute button. Pretty soon you will wonder why the Sox fans aren’t responding to the trolling any longer and you “may” realize they don’t see your comments.
I believe the AL Central actually has a better record head to head than the NL Central, so that speaks volumes about the NL Central’s strength this year.
Yea I won’t see him anymore after his “best option is to trade him for a replacement second basement for the rest of the year and a relief pitcher “
Bone dog, you’re just disappointed that Eloy is no longer employed by the Cubs. How did that trade work out for you?
That’s not the right mindset for a solo DH type. Papi was a DH (not saying Eloy is Papi). This team needs his bat which is nothing short of great don’t lose it.
Yeah right !!
ALL he’ll ever be? That’s correct – what’s reasonable from Eloy? 35 to 45 HRs and 120 RBI / year? 2022 outfield of Cespedes. Robert and Engel.. Ya, DH works for me !!
Rather have Sheets as the regular RF, with Engel as a defensive replacement, but yeah, they could do worse. I just hope Cespedes or Colas (assuming he does indeed sign with them) work out. I think your timeline on Cespedes is a little aggressive, though. I don’t expect him until 2023, maybe 2nd half of 2022 if he’s killing it next year..
Vaughn will be in left before Engle will be a starter.
Yep. Sox are already loaded with great defensive outfielders.
Too bad they don’t have a decent defensive catcher in either Grandal or Collins.
Dude why do you keep doing this to yourself? Grandal is a terrific defensive catcher. Just accept it.
Sorry pal, you are maybe thinking of the 2015 version of Grandal. Read below.
Excellent suggestions, SlapShot!
I hear they are in talks with the Scrubs about Contreras.
He’s just still butt hurt over the world’s shortest sports dynasty in history. The one and done baby bears.
I would tend to believe any trade rumor coming from the north side, Contreras for example, could have some foundation. It’s not exactly a “going out of business and everything must go” type of sale but pretty close. But really. I would think at this point the Cubs would certainly listen to offers for all players.
The White Sox and manager Tony La Russa have already stated that Eloy Jimenez will be the team’s primary DH for the remainder of the season once he returns to the active roster. I’m guessing that Jimenez will also be a DH only during the entirety of his minor league rehab which could also expedite his return.
Let’s go!!!!
Best news here is that there have been no setbacks and the early reported timeframe is accurate.
Leury Garcia plays above average at 2B.
Sox should focus on acquiring another RH BP arm and maybe a platoon catcher in case Collins is injured. Perhaps Cubs’ Contreras can back him up.
Not sure if this was a joke but Contreras is superior compared to Collins. Contreras has struggled with the bat for his standards but he is IMO the best defensive catcher in mlb and I’m a Sox fan saying that.
I like the idea of trading for Frazier or even Benintendi because both are under control for at least another year and they would bring solid defense and a lefty bat to the lineup.
Literally every stat would disagree with you on being the best defensive catcher in the MLB. He is just an average defensive catcher. By MLB did you mean Chicago? Collins is a trash defensively and it is laughable for anyone to think that Contreras would be his backup. Man, White Sox fans really want to be the dumbest fanbase.
Stevie, I love how gullible you are. Keep it up lol.
Chisox_fan isn’t trolling. He is actually in an insane asylum. Read the rest of his comments.
Steve, the shame of it, is that Collins is better than Grandal, defensively. You may not agree with that, but I’ve seen plenty of Sox games in the last few years, to feel very comfortable with that statement. Grandal even has average framing stats this year – and that is usually the first argument a Sox fan makes, to defend Grandal’s defense.
Man you showed me. You watch games? Grandal has been average at framing for 3 months so he is not good anymore. Passed by Collins, you say? Have you checked out Collin’s framing numbers? Fascinating stuff really.
I’d agree, Collins is bad at framing. But occasionally he’ll move his body to actually block a pitch.
Did someone state that Collins is the best defensive catcher in MLB? I didn’t see that.
Somehow the Cubs fan trolls spun my comment that I thought Contreras was best defensive catcher in mlb but thought I was saying Collins was. PED Willi blocks everything, is great at framing and picks off like 10 baserunners every year! As a Sox fan I’m not a fan of Grandal or Collins behind the dish. Seby Zevala is the best defensive catcher for Sox.
Steve I agree with you %100. I’d reply to his and the other Sox troll, but I get my comment removed immediately because they’re truly keyboard warriors and hit “flag” as soon as anyone disagrees with them.
Where does he say best defensive catcher? Imagination run wild?
Yeah I should have specified that the first half of my comment was replying to you saying Contreras was the best catcher in the MLB. That is wrong, but isn’t egregiously so. And the second half was replying to the insanity that is ChiSox_fan.
I resemble that remark!
Yes, Frazier would be a nice addition, but who u willing to give up?
I like the guys we already have!
Sox have lots of options out there to upgrade but I think Adam Frazier just makes most sense for what he brings to field and having the extra year of control is added bonus.
I like the guys we have too but I’m not sure like Stiever or Dalquist, Adolfo or Rutherford and another prospect get it done. I definitely don’t want to give up Vaughn, Sheets, Kelley, Thompson, etc for Frazier
Stiever and Adolfo and another prospect won’t get it done for Frazier. It would be Crochet straight up. Or Kelley, Sheets or Burger, and then Stiever or Adolfo and a lesser prospect.
Unless they give up Slappy where would Frazier play next year? No place to put him. They’re fine with Leury or a rental.
You’re probably right Trade Fi in which case the deal is not happening. Not trading a potential rotation stalwart for a half season rental, since Slappy is presumably ready to reclaim the job next season.
Contreras isn’t bad defensively, but he’s far from the best. He has +3 DRS, but Jacob Stallings, Elias Diaz have +7. Framing wise, he’s been about average.
Frazier’s extra year of control is one of the problems I have with trying to trade for him. Yes, he can play RF, but it’s not his natural position, you have to move either Madrigal or Frazier to somewhere they’re worse (or trade one, I guess). Also, since this is a career year for him with a very high BABIP, he seems due for regression. Sox would be buying high.
I’d rather they go after S. Marte. Also fills a need and should be a little cheaper as a rental.
What if the Sox traded for Frazier for this year, and flipped him in the offseason. What could they get for 1 year of Frazier and how does it compare to what 1.5 years of Frazier would cost now?
No, Frazier plays 2b primarily this year and next year he is the starting LF. Eloy to DH primarily with maybe a game or two a week in LF. Sheets and Engel platoon in RF. Vaughn platoons with with Frazier in LF or plays when Frazier moves to 2b and Vaughn spells Abreu at 1b a game a week. Lots of depth and lineup options with Frazier & others healthy. Keep everyone fresh and play hot hands, etc.
Nice idea of having depth at multiple positions but thinking Robert, Eloy, Vaughn and Slappy are all everyday players next year. Little too expensive to spend what it’ll take to get Frazier only to deploy him as a Leury next year- especially when you already have Leury Engel, Sheets and Burger to fly around and cover spots. The emergence of Sheets and Burger has really shaken up the dynamic for the better.
lol. Contreras backup Collins. lol.
Garcia is almost as unreliable in the health department as Eaton. And he’s a streak hitter.
If they can at least get Escobar they should. That would not stop them from acquiring a bullpen arm.
Garcia will still get his at bats as a super sub. But that’s all he should be.
Health issues?
Garcia has played in 70/86 Sox games and he is a utility player!
What are you smoking?
Are you a really a White Sox fan?
If you were, you’d know he’s missed significant time almost every season due to injury, and barely avoided an IL stint this year. I’m not even going to bother noting his many injuries because WS fans know exactly what I’m saying.
Yes, he is a utility player, but he’s been a starter pretty much the entire season due to his versatility and the injuries.
I would not trust Garcia at 2b everyday. He is going to wear down, and he is too valuable as a super sub.
30 years old and Leury still contributing at a high level. Gold glove caliber. No extended injuries this season.
You must be thinking of Avi or Willy when the Sox played the “All Garcia OF”!
Go gaslight someone else.
Garcia’s injury woes are well documented. He just missed two games because he was injuried, and missed games this season earlier with a sore knee. He ended the season in 2020 on the IL, was on and off the IL throughout both 2017 and 2018.
He cannot be trusted to play everyday the rest of the season at 2b. They should find help.
As long as you keep Larussa away from the drink he is a stud. It still makes me mad as a Cardinal fan he’s managing for the White Sox and so few Cardinal fans care. I sure wish he was managing my team again. He knows what it takes to win and he has enough clout to get the team he works for to listen to him, a big big deal in 2021 corporate America baseball. Gosh I miss Larussa…..
just tell him to stay off the road after the Bourbon
He really is tough as nails. The best, bar none. The Cardinals skipper now has never impressed me.
He’s really mellowed Canyon. Used to be vengeful and determined to show he’s the smartest guy in the room a la Maddon. Now he’s a grizzled geezer with a wry sense of humor, infinite patience with players, and a diplomatic presence with umps, opposing clubs from being a made man and former league official. In hindsight his decision to kiss the Twins butt during the Mercedes 3-0 non controversy seemed to befuddle the Twins. Maybe because Tony himself is befuddled. Or asleep. Or maybe there’s a method to his madness.
Post of the week Joel Peterson!
Good for baseball, welcome back Eloy!
Amazing how they’ve been able to continue winning regardless of their injury issues, especially in comparison to my Tribe.
They’ve played well generally but when you have across the board good starting pitching it masks your other faults. Their success this year really makes me realize what a mistake it would be to trade away our pitching depth.
Sox are a better balanced team. The Indians, outside of J-Ram and Reyes, don’t boast much in the way of offensive threats. The Sox don’t have anyone of Bieber’s caliber (though this year was something of an aberration), but they have solid pitching and more offensive weapons. It makes it easier to withstand setbacks. It also helps that guys like Burger, Sheets, and Goodwin have hit the ground running.
when will Peacock be ready?
I’m betting a month, at least. He got pulled after 31 pitches a couple nights ago, having given up zero hits. But as desperate as we are for starting pitching, could be sooner. Don’t know how much more of Mejia and Hentges they can stand.
Astros fan here, sorry about what we just did to you, REALLY hope y’all go on a tear rest of way, and LOVE Peacock, hope he turns the tide for you guys
Too bad the Tribe aren’t fully healthy. Would be fun to see a fairer fight. Then again injuries abound all around. Twins could be scary next year if their pitching rebounds with all the up and coming young players they keep bringing up- and a healthy Buxton/Sano/Donaldson. With any luck, thd Twinkies decide to blow it all up.
LETS GO! Watch out for the Sox
I would test Eloy/Vaughn in the corners, especially if Sheets manages to keep hitting.
Frankly, it would be no worse, if not better, than the combinations they marched out the past several years (Palka, Delmonico, Jimenez, Mazara, etc.)and it could give the offense a major lift. They can always pull both in Late innings.
No it’s not ideal, but unless they trade for Frazier, it’s an option of corner outfielders who can hit but not field, and corner outfielders who can field but can’t hit.
That’s where they are with Eaton flaming out.
No need to test Eloy in LF. Not this year, anyway.
That’s how he gets hurt!
Eloy destined to be MVP of 2021 WS.
Please don’t mention Palka and Delmonico again in polite company. Nightmare flashbacks to the law firm of Cordell Cordell and Delmonico or the all Garcia OF.
Best baseball news I’ve heard all week. Hope he gets his timing back quickly. The middle of August features 14 straight games against the Yankees, A’s, Rays, and Jays (because the schedule maker liked rhyming team names playing back-to-back, I guess). Barring setbacks, I know he’ll be up by then, but the Sox need the Silver Slugger version of Eloy for that stretch.
So with Eloy coming back, you’re saying they still need Of help!
@stymeedone
Let’s see, with Eloy, Robert, Grandal, and Madrigal still down, that’s 4 key starters out until Aug at the earliest (Madrigal out for the year).
Brilliant observation on your part. Yes, any help would be appreciated, either from within or outside the organization.
Hamilton… thanks for the good weeks of work you put in. Charlotte is kinda warm in the summer however. Enjoy the BBQ when you get there.
They gotta keep Hamilton around as a mascot tho. Fan and clubhouse favorite!!
Don’t expect too much of him. He’s a great player, but hitting his hard. Asking him to hit the floor running is too much to hope for. If Trout had shoulder surgery, I wouldn’t expect him to hit the floor running.
If all goes well, he will have 2 full months to ramp up for the post-season. Should be enough time.
There is still a strength issue. He’s a great player. No question about that.
Agree don’t expect much but behind that sunny demeanor, Eloy has always seemed to possess that extra gear, the killer instinct that motivates him to come up big in clutch situations. Witness the way he destroys Cubs pitching.
Grandal bothered with bad knee all season. Was hurt in spring training. Hard to be great defensively with one knee. Contreras not free agent until 2023. Not sure he’s the best fit as Eloy is better as a DH and Grandal/Collins are on the team next season. Second base and a bull pen arm would be a good rental plan. Don’t pay too much for the rentals. Gotta believe in your team for next season. TLR must have hated Eaton. Was beaten out by Billy Hamilton and Goodwin quite easily.
Eaton was a much better fit in the clubhouse this time around. During his original tour of duties, the vets laughed at Spankys attempts to be the “straw that stirs the drink” so much that they’d openly mock him on the field, and then the Drake Laroche thing. But on this club, Adam’s more behind the scenes tutelage of the kids was appreciated. Unfortunately his body couldn’t hold up and it became a numbers game with so many OF options. Could see Eaton having a career in coaching down the road.
I’m not sure about Eaton being a better clubhouse fit. Goodwin’s tweet upon hearing the news of Eaton being DFA’d was “party party party let’s all get wasted”. I saw that tweet in a couple places. Now either Goodwin is happy that he still has a roster spot and did not get cut, or perhaps Eaton was not that welcome a teammate. I’m guessing someone would not post something like that if it was not at least a little bit of the latter.
Oh I missed that tweet. Never mind then. At least they’re not openly hating on Eaton this time. A la Todd Frazier
He’ll never be an outfielder, as his lack of defensive skills is what’s holding down his below-replacement-level WAR score. At 24 years old, he’s too young and expensive to only be a DH and it’s ironic that the team has actually benefited from his absence. It only seems logical that the team would be better off moving him.
Last year Ohtani was coming off a leg injury and didn’t hit a lick. Many people completely ignored that and flat out said he was a bust.
Hitting a baseball is not like anything else in sports, you need every cog working or the hitting suffers.
He may never be an OF, but he’s got a natural swing- not a 3 outcomes guy but a high average hitter with power a la Vaughn, capable of Vlad Jr like seasons. He also comes up big in clutch situations (limited sample size), rising to the occasion to batter the Cubs- using the Cubs decision to give up on him as fuel. Those types of players, who keep the mood light in the clubhouse and who inspire others to light a memorial in your honor are the ones you keep and make part of your core.
Really enjoying your commentary in this thread – very insightful
Below replacement level? His bWAR was 1.4 in both 2019 and 2020 (in less than half as many games). Those work out to a sub his first year and solid starter his second. I’ll readily agree his defense is keeping his value down, but to call him below-replacement-level is just not true.
And you generally don’t move 24-year olds on team-friendly deals who just won Silver Sluggers.
All this “analysis” after one half season of baseball under his belt?
I would like to see the Cubs and White Sox work together on a trade for Baez, Contreras and Bryant. The cubs may unload 3-5 players or more why not help bring another WS to Chicago . I am a life long Cubs fan I see the Sox have a window to win a WS and I enjoy watching them play this season !!!
Sox won’t want to give up players already controlled for years for rentals.
Dane Dunning would like to have a conversation with you..
Contreras isn’t going anywhere. I don’t think they’ll find a team that would give the cubs 4 players and at least 1 maybe 2 in their top 15 prospects.
Plus the white sox don’t have anything worth while for the cubs. We won’t see any white sox/cubs trades with star players anytime soon. They cubs regretted immediately when they trade way too much for Quintana. They didn’t need to give up Eloy and Cease
Don’t forget George Bell for Sammy Sosa.
Or Matt Karchner for John Garland!!
Lol
Yeah those two had the same huge impact as the others.
Mason has a point. It would be pretty fun to see both KB and Javy on the South Side.
Never gonna happen. White sox don’t have enough to get either one or both. Via trade or free agency. If for some reason baez went there. He’d at least be an immediate upgrade to Tim Anderson. They would have to flip Anderson for cash and ptbnl
Isn’t he and Robert done for the year? Why risk a setback on your franchise player.
Good news. For my fantasy baseball team, that is!
DO NOT OVERPAY ! Garcia and Mendick can handle 2nd base. with the offensive talent and depth we have. Sign Lynn and Rondon and wait for the pitching to come around !
With Jimenez on schedule to return to the White Sox’s line up in the next few weeks it’s safe to say that Mercedes’ days in a Sox uniform are over. Mercedes might be traded away to team in need for a DH in exchange for some low level prospects to fill in holes on the A teams while some players on those rosters get promotions in the next few weeks.
Tony actually said he’s hoping to see Yermin back and has designs on him catching a few games at C, as scary as that sounds. He does have a cannon of an arm. If Astudillo can do it, why not thd Ymator? Fun fun.
If we see the White Sox bring back Mercedes to catch then it means Zavala is that bad as a back stop. Mercedes had a good few weeks and that was it. Mercedes is a waste of an at bat. We should rather see Burger and Sheets get more playing time than see Mercedes brought back up.
Since Grandal is excepted to miss four to six weeks, let subtract this week and next week’s All Star break, that gives him around four to five week time table to return to the White Sox. During this time period I would like to see what Collins can do with getting majority of the time as the White Sox’s catcher with Zavala as his back up. There is no reason to bring up Mercedes as a MLB catcher. Mercedes had his chance as DH where he shined for a few weeks and died down once pitchers caught up to him. There was a reason why he we was a minor league journey man.
@BeeVeeTee
If all Mercedes would fetch right now is a few low level prospects (which I’m sure is the case), they’re better off just keeping Mercedes and hoping he can regain some success at AAA and maybe get a shot as a Sept call-up. No sense giving him away now.
83Sox94win05, Mercedes is worth low level A players and that is what I am suggesting since the Sox are about to promote Cespedes and Sanchez from A to AA ball in the next few weeks with Jimenez playing with them. We should pay attention with who the Sox draft next week to see if they go younger with taking guys out of high school or start going after players in college.
The demand for Adam Frazier’s talents and amenable contract is going to be very high at the MLB trade deadline.. To acquire Adam Frazier from the Pirates, any interested team will need to prepare to overwhelm Ben Cherrington with an offer he cannot, or will not, refuse.. A couple of AA minor prospects will not suffice. Hahn has to realize if the cost of acquiring Frazier may be deemed too expensive by his fanbase, but if it puts the ChiSox potentially that much closer to the WS (and keeps Frazier’s desperately needed talents from the competition), he needs to find a way. to get the deal done.
His desperately needed talents are going to what competition exactly? I don’t see him helping get any of the AL contenders over the top- unless you’re thinking he can help the Red Sox a bit. Dont see the White Sox bidding against themselves.
While Eloy should help, the major domino would be to get Robert back.
LaRussa will drink to this good news! Then again he would drinks anyways.
@Cult of Dickie
Spring Training called and said they want their lame joke back.
That’s nice news about Eloy. And the way it sounds, Robert may not be that far behind (maybe a couple weeks, if all goes well). Put it this way, if they are able to get Eloy, Robert, and Grandal all back before Sept (and don’t accumulate any more key injuries), and depending on how they and Cleveland do the 2 weeks after the ASB, they may not need to make any trades (at least offensively).
If they can get a 2B and/or OF on the cheap, OK, sure, go for it. But if Mendick/Leury is going to be their weak spot in the lineup come Sept, I can live with that.
What they need is to trade for relievers. I actually have to side (grudgingly) with Dogbone, in that their pen is grossly overrated. Hendriks, Kopech, and Crochet are pretty much it. Bummer has his moments (or did before his IL stint), but the rest haven’t done much. Yes, Burr’s had a nice start, but I’m leery of him long-term. I hope he proves me wrong.
Ill say this, if someone said the Sox would be well in first place (over 3 games ahead of the next team) and Eloy would be out until shortly after the All star break, Im not sure I would have believed that. While Im not sure how much Eloy is going to help their miserable record against over .500 teams, Id imagine if he has more good days than bad the Sox should score a lot more runs at least.