3:13 pm: Jimenez will earn a guaranteed $2MM salary if he makes it onto the team, reports Héctor Gomez of Z101 Digital. He can earn an additional $2MM in playing time incentives.
12:13 pm: The Rays are in agreement with designated hitter Eloy Jimenez on a minor league deal, per a report from Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The deal presumably includes an invite to major league Spring Training.
Jimenez, 28, signed with the Cubs out of the Dominican Republic as an international amateur and made his pro debut in 2014. He quickly rocketed up prospect rankings and was eventually included alongside Dylan Cease in the crosstown trade that brought Jose Quintana to Wrigley Field. Jimenez’s top prospect star continued to shine with the White Sox, and they eventually signed him to a long-term deal prior to his big league debut in 2019. The $43MM guarantee gave Chicago control over Jimenez for eight seasons in a record-setting deal for a prospect who had not yet made his big league debut.
The deal initially looked like something of a coup as the slugger burst onto the scene in the majors with a fourth-place finish in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2019 before Jimenez slashed .295/.332/.559 (138 wRC+) with 14 homers in just 55 games during the shortened 2020 season. Jimenez’s excellent offense helped to lead the White Sox to their first playoff appearance since 2008, and while they fell to the A’s in three games it seemed as though the South Siders were in position to compete for years to come with Jimenez as a key part of the core.
Things didn’t turn out that way, unfortunately. Jimenez was limited to just 139 games and 558 trips to the plate over the next two seasons due to a myriad of injuries, and while he posted a 125 wRC+ during that time the missed time combined with Jimenez’s lackluster defense in the outfield led Chicago to make him more or less a full-time DH going forward. While Jimenez stayed healthy enough to play 120 games in 2023, his offense left much to be desired as he slashed just .272/.317/.441 with 18 homers in 489 trips to the plate. That was good for a 105 wRC+ which, while above average, left him as a roughly replacement level DH (0.6 fWAR).
After losing 101 games in 2023, the White Sox were surely hoping Jimenez would rebound enough in 2024 to build up his trade value and bring in an interesting piece or two for the rebuild they had kicked off by trading away Dylan Cease and declining Tim Anderson’s club option during the offseason. Unfortunately, the slugger did anything but as he turned in by far the worst performance of his career in 2024. In 98 games with the White Sox and Orioles, Jimenez hit a paltry .238/.289/.336 and was worth -0.9 fWAR. That below replacement level production made it an easy decision for Baltimore to cut him loose this winter, making him a free agent for the first time in his career.
That’s led him to the Rays, who are coming off a disappointing 2024 season in large part thanks to a lackluster offense. Given Jimenez’s own offensive struggles, he’s hardly a guarantee to help with that. But adding a bat with his potential upside on a minor league deal can’t hurt the club’s efforts to but forth a stronger lineup in 2025, and even if Jimenez only manages the 105 wRC+ he posted 2023 that would still be an upgrade over the 97 wRC+ the Rays got out of their DH slot last year. Should Jimenez make the roster out of camp, he’d join youngsters like Christopher Morel, Jonathan Aranda, and Jonny DeLuca in vying for playing time in the outfield and at DH.
How the turn tables…
Pirates couldn’t go 4 mil ???
DJ on the 1s and 2s?
You guys are slacking, Bleacher Nation was way ahead of you on this one
Yeah but if you see it on Bleacher Nation, you have spend time checking to see if it’s actually true.
Nice one!
You also need to run it through a grammar and spell check.
Over here acting like this is some big “scoop” or something lol.
OHTANI IS ON A PLANE TOWARDS TORONTO
THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS
I landed under sniper fire!
They’re eating the Cats
No, it’s the dogs (and maybe squirrels).
Yikes
There’s your 2025 come back player of the year
He’s now on my radar for undrafted/last round guys in 5 OF leagues
By Comeback Player of the Year standards, Jimenez has never really been someone.
lol. He sure got paid like one !
Lol no
Getting away from Chicago just could be the kick in the pants he needs. He’s been coddled and treated as a top talent, his whole career.
He never filled those expectations.
This could wake him up, to become somewhat productive.
Didn’t work in Baltimore either
The Rays are collecting position-less DHs. Must be the new market inefficiency.
Eloy has a position, minor league DL
Reports out of Tampa are that he pulled his hammy walking into the TB office, then strained his thumb while signing the deal. Possible ligament damage, may require surgery, out until at least the all star break
Well done, lol.
Must be a Florida thing, Miami’s GM loves trading MLB talent for class A middle infielder who can’t hit for power & Tampa likes position-less of/dh types
Such a loser Rays move. Just contract this team altogether since any good players they have get bought by the Dodgers anyway.
Rays have been one of the more successful franchises over the past 15 years or so just based off of W-L record. Hard being a fan tho and yes it feels like we’ve become a minor league team for the dodgers especially in the last couple years
Huh? The only player on the Dodgers roster who was acquired directly from the Rays is Tyler Glasnow. Who are all these “good” Rays players you’re referring to? Did I miss someone?
Who cares if it’s directly. Glasnow, Snell, Kiermaier, Carl Crawford. Essentially let your good players get paid elsewhere. The sad state of baseball.
You said any good players they have get bought by the Dodgers, which is factually untrue. Stop trolling with negativity and stuff that is factually incorrect. Happy holidays!
Glasnow was acquired by another move trading off a big name player. That trade has heavily favored Rays.
Crawford and Kiermier left as free agents. Rays did right letting both walk, especially Crawford.
Snell is the only player they drafted and traded of those you mention. This narrative you attempted pushing just doesn’t hold water.
Tigers3232: How dare you let FACTS get in the way of someone’s false narrative. Merry Christmas.
Actually you’re almost right. The Rays regularly shop off the scrap heap, they frequently turn their career around with them, they get expensive and off they go for good prospects. Rinse and repeat.
Your type must get some type of joy out of comments like that. The Rays don’t draw well, no kidding….and 90% of that is the terrible stadium and location. The Lightning draws very well in Tampa. Everything else about that franchise is top notch considering the revenue issue. Teams regularly dip into the Rays FO for their own FO.
Since 2010 the rays have more wins than redsox, orioles and jays while spending much much less then those teams I mentioned you want them contracted too as well right?
Get rid of basically anyone except the teams actually willing to spend money to win. Rays haven’t won a postseason series in a full season since 2008, have they? 2013 and 2019 WC being one game, not a series. This cute little engine that could stuff doesn’t play in October. And I don’t dislike the Rays, I get that it’s an MLB problem, but it’s a sad state of affairs all around.
Minor? Wow.
More like “minor.” I’m sure it comes with a wink-wink promise, but they wanted to hold onto the roster spot for the time being. Money is not a huge deal for him as he’s still very much on the White Sox payroll.
seamaholic: Yeah, for just under $5M, a ton of money for that skinflint Reinsdorf.
I already predicted Eloy, Moncada and TA having to accept minor league deals if at all.
Keep him away from Wander Franco
There were many reasons why the White Sox rebuild did NOT work. However, Eloy, Tim Anderson, and Yoan Moncada have to be at the top of the list. All were cocky players and in Eloy and Moncada’s case, always hurt. Eloy could not run to first base without getting hurt. This team became so unlikeable due to their lack of hustle, baseball smarts, and productivity.
Management believed in them and locked them up to very team friendly contracts while also giving security to the players. What a failure!
Again, there were many mistakes made (Bringing back LaRussa, poor drafting and development, etc.) But Eloy and these 2 other players were the main reason and shame on all of them.
I hate to say it, but all 3 are done and I would be very surprised if any play a major role on any team in 2025.
But usually a failed rebuild doesn’t not happen without its victories. Like Dylan Cease, Seby Zavala(as a backup catcher), Aaron Bummer, Adam Engel(as defensive outfielder), Tim Anderson from 2019-2021, etc.
I hate to be a pessimist, but if we’re counting Seby Zavala and Adam Engel as bright spots then the rebuild was a disaster
mike127: I say those two bc of their designated role as backup in their respective positions, I tend to count good spots no matter how small. Aaron Bummer and Tanner Banks was a decent reliever in a Wsox uniform.
Aiden—I have no problem with designated roles, but White Eagle was noting why the whole era really failed. It’s nice to snag this little blips on the radar, but the rebuild needed Giolito and Moncada and Jimenez and Lopez and Madrigal and Anderson and Dunning and others to be CONSISTENTLY good, like Cease and not being able to highlight backup catchers and defensive outfielders and dime a dozen middle relievers.
Absolutely Mike, when you re left pointing to back ups as one of few successes it’s a huge failure.
I’ve got to agree with the original comment here on that trio crushing the rebuild. I’d add Vaughn to that list as well. That’s half of a lineup.
Aiden—I’m all for optimistic views and good cheer this time of the year, but with the exception of Dylan Cease all the others you listed are very, very long stretches or blatant misconceptions. I’m afraid to ask what your “etc” list consists of.
Listing a backup catcher and a defensive outfielder as noteworthy victories probably equates to oh, about, 41 of them in a season.
I always felt like their rebuild fell flat after they fired Ricky Renteria. It just wasn’t the same team after that, and the wheels fell off completely.
Abreu leaving as well
But everyone is always on board with extending young talent. Hindsight is always perfect, people liked what they were doing, it just fell apart in the most amazing way possible.
I don’t think they made one good free agent signing. You can’t spend your entire payroll on duds when you have a bunch of young controllable players. I will give the white sox credit. They seem to develop front end pitchers. They either stink at scouting bats or developing them or both.
I agree that the Wsox are far better developing pitching, not Rays or Dodgers tier
They drafted or signed a bunch of slow-moving DH types who aren’t even good enough for that limited role.
There have been many missteps, some of which were doomed from the start. If their failed rebuild weren’t so sad, it would be funny. Someone who was around that clubhouse should write a book about it. The title can be Sad Sox.
I wonder where Timmy and Yoan will be this spring?
In defense of Eloy: I never considered him cocky. Seemed to me that he just lacked intensity – and had terrible baseball instincts.
Rays are going to turn this guy into a productive player and flip him at the deadline.
Wow, he was one of the most promising bats…
Talk about a fall from grace…
Thought he was a Marlin for sure
Surely someone could’ve gave him a big league deal… Rockies, where you at?
That’s bad news for the AL West, great move for the Rays. This guy going to be popping balls onto MLK Drive. Rays have a good team. Good rotation, good bullpen.
Jimenez hits a ton when he is fully healthy and in good spirits and he will fit in well Tampa Bay. Lot of Latin folks and tropical weather.
That’s all it’s really going to take to get Eloy back on track. Good team, good weather.
So in the long term did the Cubs dodge a bullet trading him away in 2017?
Hard to say. If guys like Eloy and Moncada didn’t receive extensions after proving nothing or 1 year of success respectively, would their motivation to become better players and be better conditioned for a long season have changed?
Doubt Cubs would have extended Eloy before proving anything.
JR was motivated to get contractual bargains after seeing the gamble worked with Sale/Eaton/Quintana. He lost on these and may think twice doing it again if he doesn’t sell soon. Make a player string together 2 consecutive good/healthy seasons-removing financial motivation for most jobs is an issue, let alone guaranteed tens of millions.
That was not a great trade by the Cubs. Jose Quintana did not help them extend their contention window the way they hoped he would, and they have had very few home grown aces since the Wood/Prior days. So, while the Jimenez part of the deal wound up being not very painful at all due to Eloy’s subsequent performance, trading Dylan Cease in that same deal was very painful, as he could have been that long hoped for homegrown ace. The problem form the perspective of the White Sox was that too few of the so-called top prospects they received when they traded the likes of Sale and Quintana and others turned out to be difference makers they hoped for. LaRussa redux was also an enormous mistake, as has been pointed out in other comments.
Never underestimate TB’s ability to make a purse out of a pig’s ear..
Good fit for player and club. He’s still on the right side of 30, if he stays healthy he can still be a productive player.
As an Oriole fan, I would love for the Red Sox to have signed him
Hopefully, this was a wake up call for him to get in better shape for 2025. Probably not, but one can hope.
Honestly surprised he didn’t get 8m in this years market. Maybe he should have said he’s gonna try to pitch?
No kidding. Surprised the Mets or Dodgers didn’t have more roster space and money for this experiment
Minor league contract – wow
what a fall from grace
yet another example of why the Rays front office is among the smartest in the league. there is no downside and a lottery ticket upside. will be watching this signing.
I thought you said smallest for a sec.
His hard hit % is top ten in the league if he can ever lift the ball. Long shot but something to put out there.
Wow!! How the (potentially ) mighty have fallen!!
He’s already on the IL with a hamstring pull
It wasn’t Eloy that started the Sox’ downfall. TLR is a good person for his work with his animal rescue foundation, but he’s the reason the rebuild came to a complete halt along with reinsdorf’s refusal to spend money.
On a minor league deal. That’s not bad at all. What annoys me is when you guys say “slashed just .272” but someone else slashed “a very good .245” make up your minds. I’m an A’s fan I’m taking .272 allllllllll day long
You’re only mentioning the least important 3rd of a slash line
The cat has never been anything but sub WAR in his career.
Either he’ll be terrible and not make the team/get cut early or he’ll be the steal of the offseason.
He’ll likely be a sub . 220 hitter which is admirable in this miserable Rays lineup, but they’ll make sure to control his playing time so he doesn’t get that extra 2 mil bonus. That’s the way the Rays do business.
If he’s willing to get into shape yes otherwise he’ll pull a hammy in spring training and end up in Durham majority the year.
Don’t think Rays will pay 2 mil for a minor leaguer.
Guy will be out of baseball in two years. Lol when Sox fans he was going to win multiple MVPs
Pretty much like when White Sox fans touted Qunitana as a bonafide #1 ACE when they wanted to trade him….they were looking for a haul as if he was Sandy Khofax…but they will lend their voices quickly when everyone criticizes the Yankees of over hyping their prospects…..
Don’t think you can buy any lower. Hoping the best for him
Really wish the Giants had taken this shot
I can’t imagine him navigating that outfield.
It’s crazy the fall this guy took from his good he was to how injuries really derailed his career. I think for 2 mils this is a no brainer. I’d take this deal on a major league roster any day, so I’m shocked he signed one non guaranteed on a minor league deal. I still think he has a little upside in him
Looks like the CHW ruined his offense by turning him into a full-time DH. Some guys need to play defense to be engaged offensively. I can see why, with the injuries, but it didn’t work. If the Rays are willing to let him play LF (hopefully with a great defensive CF), they might have a great pickup. They’d need a solid 4th OF, of course. Looks like they have quite a few.
When Abreu was leading this team, they were tough. When Sox let him walk, everything fell apart
bobby witt is an example of a long term deal for a 20 yr old gone right and eloy is an example of a long term deal for a 20 yr old gone horribly wrong
Wander Franco would like a word, but he’s entrenched in a gag order, so silence.
Rays stopped paying wander a long time ago
Eloy’s desperate. Thats’s what this reads.
6x as many postseason hits as Trout yuk yuk yuk
My god. Which GM or administrator is a Cubs fan? Why are the Rays picking up all their trash?
Most likely. At the very least he could build some value over here to make a return to MLB. Lucky for him the Rays/A’s/Marlins exist. Always a team to give a chance to a former top prospect.