Orioles slugger predicted to "generate interest" in free agency

The Baltimore Orioles acquired slugger Eloy Jimenez at the trade deadline from the Chicago White Sox. The 27-year-old could hit free agency this coming winter, as the Orioles hold a club option.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic notes that it is unlikely Baltimore will pick up that club option, but that at 27 years old, he could still generate some interest in free agency.

"He [Jimenez] hit 31 home runs as a rookie in 2019 and hasn't hit 20 in a season since as his career has been curtailed by injuries," Bowden wrote. "However, he's still only 27 years old and has a career 115 OPS+ so should generate interest as a value bat in free agency.

Jimenez's free agency will certainly be interesting. He won't get a long-term deal most likely, but there might be some teams that are willing to buy low on him and give him a one-year contract.

Several teams will need a power bat from the right side of the plate, and even though he has struggled, Jimenez still has solid potentially that can be unlocked if in the right situation.

Jimenez is hitting .265 with five home runs, 20 RBI, three stolen bases, and a .686 OPS. As Bowden noted in The Athletic, the power numbers have been down since Jimenez hit 31 home runs in 2019.

We'll see what kind of interest he generates this coming winter in free agency.

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