BALTIMORE (AP) — The Orioles declined a $16.5 million option Saturday on outfielder/designated hitter Eloy Jimenez, who becomes a free agent.
Jimenez receives a $3 million buyout, completing a $43 million, six-year contract he agreed to with the Chicago White Sox.
Baltimore acquired Jimenez from Chicago on July 30 for left-hander Trey McGough. Jimenez hit .232 with one homer and seven RBIs in 100 plate appearances for the Orioles, leaving his season average at .238 with six homers and 23 RBIs.
Jimenez, who turns 28 on Nov. 27, was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Sept. 24 and did not appear in the postseason. He has a .269 average with 95 homers and 298 RBIs in six big league seasons.
Chicago agreed to send Baltimore $4 million as part of the trade and will give the Orioles an additional $1.5 million because the option was declined, reducing Jimenez’s net cost to the Orioles to $1,763,441.