The Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement with Eloy Jimenez on a minor-league deal

Per Ben Nicholson Smith, the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement with Eloy Jimenez on a minor-league deal. The 2018 third-ranked prospect batted .278/.335/.397 in 40 games for the Rays' Triple-A team this year.

The numbers that he put up in Triple-A earlier this season point to Jimenez as being a solid depth piece down the stretch, but it is important to note that he last played a minor-league game on July 1st. This seems like a great signing for the Jays, but he has been injury-prone throughout his entire career.

Jiminez has never played more than 122 games in a season, and that came in his debut year, when he ended up fourth in rookie of the year voting after putting up an OPS of .828. Last year saw him play for both the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox, but he only hit the field for 98 games and ended up slashing .238/.289./.336 with a .626 OPS.

For the entirety of this year's campaign, Jiminez has played down in Triple-A Durham, although he was cut loose by the Rays on July 11th, meaning this deal is a flier for the Jays. Jiminez still possesses some power, seen by his barrel rates and exit velocities from 2024.

Last season, his 49% hard-hit rate ranked in the 90th percentile across the majors, and his average exit velocity also sat in the 90th percentile at 92 mph. This deal screams a new project for hitting coach David Popkins, who has transformed Ty France into his old self.

The singing of Eloy Jimenez seems like a low-risk, high-reward move, one that won't hinder the Jays all that much if it backfires. Unfortunately, he never fully panned out as a top-three prospect, but he now has a new, promising opportunity with the Blue Jays.

Despite battling constant injuries that limited him to career lows in 2024, he remains a career .269 hitter with 95 home runs and 298 RBIs. A 2020 Silver Slugger winner, he still carries the upside of a powerful bat that may be unlocked.

He will report to Triple-A Buffalo, giving them some experienced outfield/designated hitter depth.