We know that the Chicago White Sox are not a great team. They have some talent. They need to put it together and fill a few more holes, and then they will be winning regularly. There are just too many holes and problems for them to win consistently.
That’s too bad.
Time For The White Sox To Cut Ties With This Player
If you look at their roster, most players are doing their part. Some are having issues hitting the ball, and hopefully, they can turn things around. But this team is still trying to put things together and is still somewhat in disarray.
One player in particular is kind of an enigma on this team. That player is Eloy Jimenez. Any fan of the White Sox knows what is currently going on with him. He’s been placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained abductor muscle. The White Sox and Jimenez did not need this.
Anyone who is a fan of the White Sox knows the trials and tribulations the team has gone through with Jimenez. He’s perpetually injured, it seems, and he can’t seem to get “going.” This is a true bummer for the White Sox because they need power hitters like Jimenez in the lineup. When he’s hitting, his bat is vital to the Sox lineup. But he didn’t start the season, hitting the ball well before being injured.
Jimenez was injured in his own “signature” fashion. He was running to first base when he strained that abductor muscle. He has injured himself frequently on runs to first base. This off-season was joked about a bit, but then it became a reality.
Are the Sox Stuck with Jimenez?
If Eloy Jimenez continues to get hurt and has problems staying healthy, the White Sox could have a couple of options. One is to try to trade him away. That’s not a great option only because another team isn’t going to want a player who comes pre-injured or is so susceptible to injuries as Jimenez is. A trade is worth mentioning, but it’s not likely to happen.
Another way the White Sox can deal with this is to cut him. That might be a little extreme, but the White Sox don’t have the time to waste on Jimenez. Granted, they don’t get anything for him in return, but maybe it’s time to move on. Perhaps they don’t need to worry about him any longer?
Maybe all of this is just an overreaction. Jimenez is going to get healthy and be a star in 2024. Maybe he’ll prove people wrong. But history is not on his side. He’s been unable to stay healthy and lacks the ability the White Sox need in their starting lineup.
If Jimenez continues down this path, he will likely not remain a White Sox for much longer.
What About When He’s Healthy?
When Jimenez is healthy and firing on all cylinders, he can help the Sox out. Last season, Jimenez had an average of .272. He cranked out 18 home runs in his 120 games. If he could be consistent yet play more games, he would be a huge asset to the Sox. They need him to stay healthy, which has been hard for him to perform. If he can do that, the Sox will be that much better.
Main Photo Credits: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
