While Chicago White Sox fans are undoubtedly growing impatient with the team’s decision not to call up star prospect Eloy Jimenez, the slugger’s representatives are reportedly considering taking action against the team.
According to Jon Heyman of FanCred Sports, Jimenez’s agents accused the White Sox of playing games because of Jimenez’s service time, and that they would consider filing a grievance on his behalf.
“I don’t see what boxes he needs to check to be called up, except for service time,” Montes De Oca said.
Jimenez, who has 11 home runs and 32 RBI in just 51 games with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights this season, has been very open about the fact he feels ready to make the jump, but his agents feel the team is artificially toying with his service time to ensure he remains under their control for an extra year.
Cubs fans will recall that the team did something similar with Kris Bryant, keeping him in the minor leagues briefly at the beginning of the 2015 season to make sure that they could keep him through the end of the 2021 season.
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Bryant filed a grievance against the Cubs in that case, and Jimenez’s agents said that they could potentially explore that step as well.
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“Eventually, you’ll probably have to add us to that list,” agent Paul Kinzer said. “How can you say with a straight face this guy needs to work on anything?”
White Sox G.M. Rick Hahn did not elaborate on the team's plans for Jimenez, according to the report, but has said this season that the team is being patient with his call-up.
