In a surprising turn of events, former Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles slugger Eloy Jimenez has agreed to a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to sources. The 28-year-old power hitter, who once seemed destined for stardom, is looking to revive his injury-riddled career in the Rays organization.
Jimenez’s Rollercoaster Journey
Eloy Jimenez burst onto the scene with the White Sox in 2019, smashing 31 home runs in his rookie campaign. His prodigious power and infectious personality quickly made him a fan favorite on the South Side. However, injuries have derailed his once-promising career in recent years.
Since his stellar debut season, Jimenez has struggled to stay on the field. He hasn’t played more than 122 games in a season, with that career-high coming in his rookie year. In 2022, split between the White Sox and Orioles, he appeared in just 98 games, hitting a meager .238 with only six long balls.
Eloy has immense talent and power. We believe a change of scenery and our development staff can help him get back to being the impact player we know he can be.
– Rays GM on Jimenez signing
Rays Seeking Power Boost
For the Rays, signing Jimenez represents a low-risk, high-reward move. Tampa Bay ranked just 28th in home runs last season after trading away sluggers Isaac Paredes and Randy Arozarena. They’re hoping Jimenez can recapture some of his 30+ HR power and provide a much-needed jolt to their lineup.
- Rays finished 28th in HRs in 2024
- Traded away Paredes & Arozarena
- Jimenez offers huge power upside
If Eloy Jimenez can stay healthy and tap into his immense raw power, this signing could prove to be a shrewd move by the budget-conscious Rays. A resurgent Jimenez launching homers at Tropicana Field would go a long way toward putting Tampa Bay back in playoff contention.
The Road Ahead
For now, Jimenez will report to minor league camp with the Rays. He’ll get an opportunity to work with their renowned player development staff and compete for a spot on the big league club. If he shows flashes of his rookie year brilliance, expect to see Eloy launching mammoth blasts in Tampa Bay sooner rather than later.
After a tumultuous few seasons filled with injuries and underperformance, Eloy Jimenez is hoping a fresh start with the Rays is just what he needs to get his once-promising career back on track. Only time will tell if this gamble pays off for both player and team, but if it does, the AL East better watch out for a rejuvenated Eloy Jimenez in 2025.
