Chicago White Sox Rumors: Eloy Jimenez drawing trade interest

The Chicago White Sox did not make a trade on Saturday but the expectation is that there is at least one more move coming for the team before the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline on August 1.

Starting pitcher Mike Clevinger returned from injury on Saturday and pitched six scoreless innings in the White Sox’s 7-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. That could be exactly what the White Sox needed as Clevinger proving to be healthy could be enough for an interested team to target him before the deadline on Tuesday.

On the position player side, shortstop Tim Anderson and designated hitter Eloy Jimenez remain as two of the biggest trade chips that the White Sox have.

Anderson has a $14MM club option for the 2024 season and it remains to be seen how pivotal of a part he will play in the long-term future of the White Sox.

Meanwhile, Jimenez has one more year remaining on the contract that he signed with the White Sox prior to the 2019 season but the deal does include club options for both the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

The biggest flaw in Jimenez’s game is the availability as the slugger has not played in 100 games in a season since his rookie campaign in 2019. Given the questions over his health, that could be the reason why the White Sox move Jimenez in the event that a team gets desperate with their offer.

Eloy Jimenez could be the next trade chip for the Chicago White Sox to fall.

The Miami Marlins or Milwaukee Brewers could be that team. Bruce Levine of 670 The Score reported on Saturday that the Marlins and Brewers have expressed interest in trading for Jimenez.

A trade of Jimenez would certainly symbolize a different direction for the White Sox than the trades that the team made earlier this week.

With their trading of starting pitchers Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn, and relievers Reynaldo Lopez, Joe Kelly, and Kendall Graveman, the White Sox were able to restock their farm system while also still having an eye toward contending in 2024.

A trade of Jimenez would dramatically hurt the White Sox’s opportunity to contend next season given he has been one of their more consistent offensive producers outside of Luis Robert Jr.