Eloy Jiménez is back on the radar - and back in the Blue Jays organization - as he looks to reignite a career that once carried sky-high expectations.
The 29-year-old outfielder has signed a minor league deal with Toronto that includes a non-roster invite to Spring Training. It’s a low-risk, potentially high-reward move for the Jays, who are taking a flier on a player once considered one of the most promising power bats in the game.
Jiménez’s journey to this point has been anything but smooth. Originally acquired by the White Sox in the 2017 Jose Quintana trade with the Cubs, Jiménez quickly shot up the prospect rankings and cashed in before ever stepping onto a Major League field, signing a six-year, $43 million deal - a bold bet by Chicago on his long-term upside.
And for a while, it looked like that bet might pay off. Between 2019 and 2023, Jiménez posted a .275/.324/.487 slash line with 89 home runs and a 118 OPS+ across 436 games.
There were stretches when his power and bat speed were undeniable - flashes of the middle-of-the-order force the White Sox envisioned. But injuries and inconsistency kept him from ever fully taking off.
Things took a turn in 2024. His production dipped significantly, slashing just .240/.297/.345 with five homers over his final 65 games in Chicago. By the trade deadline, the White Sox sent him to Baltimore in a deal that was more about shedding salary than acquiring talent - a clear sign that the organization had moved on.
Jiménez didn’t fare much better with the Orioles. In 33 games, he managed just a .232/.270/.316 line with one home run.
Baltimore declined his $16.5 million club option for 2025, opting instead to pay a $3 million buyout. It was a tough but unsurprising decision, given his struggles.
Still, Jiménez wasn’t done. He landed with the Blue Jays late last August and got a brief look at Triple-A Buffalo, appearing in just six games and posting a .508 OPS over 21 plate appearances. Across stints with both the Rays’ and Jays’ minor league systems in 2025, he hit .247/.326/.347 with three homers and 30 RBI - solid numbers, but not the kind that demand a call-up.
So why are the Blue Jays giving him another look? For one, he’s still just 29, and there’s reason to believe the raw tools haven’t completely vanished. His hard-hit rates and exit velocities remain respectable, suggesting there’s still some thump in the bat if he can stay healthy and find his rhythm.
Toronto’s Spring Training invite gives Jiménez a platform to prove he can still contribute at the big-league level. But cracking the Jays’ 26-man roster won’t be easy. Their outfield depth is already a strength, and barring a standout spring or a sudden roster shakeup, Jiménez may find himself looking elsewhere for a clearer path back to the majors.
That said, this is the kind of low-risk signing that can quietly pay off. If Jiménez shows signs of his old self, he could become an intriguing depth piece or trade chip for a team in need of right-handed power.
And if things don’t click? Well, the Blue Jays didn’t risk much to find out.
For now, Jiménez is back in a familiar position - trying to prove he still belongs. We’ll be keeping a close eye on his performance this spring to see if there’s another chapter left in his big-league story.