In a surprising move, the Baltimore Orioles have declined the $16.5 million team option on slugger Eloy Jiménez for the 2025 season, allowing the outfielder/designated hitter to become a free agent. Jiménez, who was acquired by the Orioles from the Chicago White Sox at the trade deadline this past season, will now test the open market.
The 27-year-old played a limited role with the Orioles down the stretch, hitting .232 with just one home run and seven RBIs in 100 plate appearances. His overall numbers for the 2024 campaign settled at .238 with six homers and 23 RBIs between the White Sox and Orioles.
A Costly Acquisition
The Orioles traded promising left-handed pitcher Trey McGough to the White Sox in exchange for Jiménez on July 30th. As part of the deal, Chicago agreed to send Baltimore $4 million to offset some of Jiménez’s remaining salary. With the Orioles declining his option, the White Sox will send an additional $1.5 million to Baltimore, reducing the net cost of the trade to just under $1.8 million for the O’s.
“We took a calculated risk in acquiring Eloy, hoping he could provide some much-needed pop to our lineup down the stretch,” a source close to the Orioles front office revealed. “Unfortunately, it didn’t pan out as we had hoped.”
A Surprising Demotion
In a move that raised eyebrows around the league, the Orioles optioned Jiménez to Triple-A Norfolk on September 24th, effectively ending his season. The slugger did not appear in the postseason for Baltimore.
Over his six-year career, Jiménez has shown flashes of the immense potential that made him a top prospect, posting a .269 average with 95 home runs and 298 RBIs. However, inconsistency and injuries have plagued him, preventing the Dominican native from realizing his full potential.
What’s Next for Jiménez and the Orioles?
As Jiménez enters free agency, it remains to be seen what kind of market will develop for his services. Teams will undoubtedly be intrigued by his raw power and relative youth, but his inconsistent track record and injury history may give some clubs pause.
For the Orioles, declining Jiménez’s option frees up a significant amount of payroll for the 2025 season. The team could look to allocate those resources to address other areas of need, such as starting pitching or middle infield help.
“This move gives us some financial flexibility heading into the offseason,” the source added. “We’ll be looking to improve our roster in a number of areas, and this allows us to be more aggressive in pursuing those upgrades.”
It’s also possible that the Orioles could look to bring Jiménez back on a more team-friendly deal. The slugger expressed a desire to remain in Baltimore long-term after being acquired, and the club could view him as a potential buy-low candidate with upside.
Regardless of where Jiménez ends up, his free agency will be one of the more intriguing storylines to follow this offseason. For the Orioles, it’s a calculated risk that could pay dividends if they’re able to effectively reallocate those resources and improve their roster for the 2025 campaign.
