White Sox and Eloy Jiménez agree to terms on six-year contract plus two club options

March 22nd, 2019

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a six-year, $43-million contract with outfielder Eloy Jiménez, plus two club options that could extend the deal through the 2026 season.

Under terms of the contract, Jiménez will receive a $5 million bonus in addition to $1 million in 2019, $1.5 million in 2020, $3.5 million in 2021, $6.5 million in 2022, $9.5 million in 2023 and $13 million in 2024. The White Sox hold options for $16.5 million in 2025 and $18.5 million in 2026, with $3 million buyouts for either season.

Jiménez, 22, is rated by MLB.com as the No. 1 prospect in the White Sox organization and No. 3 overall in baseball. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Jiménez combined to bat .337/.384/.577 (140-416) with 28 doubles, 22 home runs, 75 RBI and a .961 OPS over 108 games between Class AA Birmingham and Class AAA Charlotte in 2018.

“Eloy is a tremendously talented young player who has impressed us with his baseball skills, poise and maturity from the moment he joined the White Sox organization,” said Rick Hahn, White Sox senior vice president/general manager. “We view him as an important member of the core we are building over the coming years, and so are pleased to have reached this long-term agreement to have him in a White Sox uniform for many seasons to come.”

“My family and I are very happy and excited to sign this deal,” said Jiménez. “It gives us the opportunity to ensure our future, but more importantly, to reinforce my commitment to the White Sox organization. All of my effort, focus and desire is to help this team win multiples championships and bring joy to our fan base.”

Jiménez is a career .311/.359/.519 (486-1,563) hitter with 108 doubles, 65 homers, 281 RBI and 232 runs scored in 408 games over five minor-league seasons in the White Sox and Chicago Cubs organizations.

A native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Jiménez was acquired from the Cubs on July 13, 2017 with right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease and infielders Bryant Flete and Matt Rose in exchange for left-hander José Quintana. Cease, who was named Minor League Baseball’s top pitcher in 2018 by MLB Pipeline, is rated by MLB.com as the No. 3 prospect in the Sox organization and No. 38 overall in baseball.

Jiménez originally was signed by the Cubs as the No. 1 international free agent prospect on August 1, 2014.