Blue Jays Secure Eloy Jimenez on Minor League Contract

The Toronto Blue Jays have recently signed Eloy Jimenez to a minor league contract, as reported by Mike Rodriguez. This deal includes an invitation for Jimenez to participate in the Major League spring training camp hosted by the Jays.

Eloy Jimenez’s Recent Performance

Eloy Jimenez joined the Blue Jays late in August, but he only played in six games for Triple-A Buffalo. During these appearances, he managed a .508 OPS across 21 plate appearances. This adds to his overall stats, which reflect a .247 batting average, .326 on-base percentage, and .347 slugging percentage in 215 plate appearances combining his time in the Blue Jays’ and Rays’ farm systems. Notably, he has not yet played at the Major League level since his signing.

Career Highlights and Challenges

Initially, Jimenez was considered a promising power hitter, signing a six-year contract worth $43 million with the Chicago White Sox before making his Major League debut. From 2019 to 2023, he demonstrated his potential by achieving a .275 average with 89 home runs over 1,777 plate appearances.

However, injuries have significantly hindered Jimenez’s career. His best performance came in 2019 when he played 122 games, the highest for a full season. The 2024 season proved particularly troublesome. Jimenez managed a disappointing .238/.289/.336 batting line over 349 plate appearances, concurrently battling an adductor strain and a hamstring strain.

Recent Transactions and Future Outlook

• 2024: Traded from the White Sox to the Orioles at the trade deadline.
• 2025: Orioles declined his $16.5 million club option.
• Last winter: Signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.
• July 2024: Released by the Rays due to performance issues and ongoing injuries.

Despite being only 29 years old, Jimenez’s career has been marred by setbacks. He is still managing to record decent hard-hit ball metrics and exit velocities. The Blue Jays view this as a low-risk opportunity to assess Jimenez’s potential revival during spring training. While the chances of him securing a spot on the roster are slim given the competition, a strong performance could lead to interest from other teams via trade or an opt-out option at the end of camp.