Can you believe that Eloy Jimenez only just turned 28 years old? So much offensive potential from such a young age, so many injuries along the way. Makes him feel so much older than he is, and, at times, makes him play much older, too.

But I can’t help it. I still pay attention to what’s going on with him, and I still root for the former Cubs prospect. I want to see him do well.

Hopefully the Tampa Bay Rays can keep him healthy and productive after a particularly bad 2024 season split between the White Sox and Orioles:

News: DH Eloy Jimenez and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a minor league deal, sources tell ESPN. Jimenez, 28, played for the White Sox and Orioles this year and hopes to rebuild his career with a Rays team that has high aspirations in the American League East.— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) December 23, 2024

Jimenez is a career .269/.318/.462/112 wRC+ hitter in the big leagues, but that really doesn’t tell much of the story on a guy who has been a monster twice … but only for a half-season at a time because of injuries. Who has otherwise been disappointing.

Who has otherwise been even more injured. And who is definitely best-served staying far away from actually playing in the outfield.

So it’s a minor league deal with the Rays for now, and maybe Jimenez really shows something in Spring Training. It might be a tough roster to crack, because the Rays are already going to have to move guys around a bit to get at bats for all the guys they want getting at bats. Or they could look to move some salary, of course.