Orioles Add Another Hitter in Eloy Jiménez

Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

July 30, 2024

On Tuesday, the Baltimore Orioles acquired designated hitter Eloy Jiménez from the Chicago White Sox. In return, the team traded away minor-league pitcher Trey McGough. McGough was on Baltimore’s Double-A affiliate, the Bowie Baysox. McGough is currently not on any prospect rankings. But McGough has performed well this season, pitching to a combined 1.99 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings while splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A in 2024.

Jiménez on the other hand is a player, that if he stays healthy, should provide some pop with the bat to the already explosive Orioles lineup. However, health will be the top concern.

The Orioles New Hitter, Eloy Jiménez

On the White Sox, Jiménez has never completed a full season. He has only topped the 100-game mark twice in his six-year career. This season is no different for Jiménez as he has already missed 45 games in 2024.

Jiménez spent the beginning of his career in left field but has mainly been a full-time designated hitter since 2022. Currently, he is having the worst season of his career with lows in batting average (.240) and OPS (.642). He also has lows in home runs (5) and RBI (16), compared to seasons where he played ten fewer games.

The Orioles new designated hitter provides the team with a low-risk, high-reward scenario. The team gave up little to get him and they have team options for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Jiménez has shown he has some serious talent in his bat and if he can find that spark again he will benefit the team. On the other hand, if he does not perform well the Orioles can rotate players back into the designated hitter role like they were doing previously.

The team is in a situation where this trade can only add value to the team. It is a low-stakes trade and if it does not work then the team can easily act like it never happened. However, if Jiménez performs well then it could help ignite the explosive powerhouse that is the 2024 Baltimore Orioles.