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Former Red Sox Outfielder Talks New Team

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sam Bernardi | Last updated Mar 13, 2025 10:56 AM ET

The Boston Red Sox lost out on outfielder Tyler O’Neill this winter to division rivals, the Baltimore Orioles.

He was on MLB Network’s Hot Stove to talk about his new team and his league-record five consecutive Opening Day home runs.

On his free agency, O’Neill said, “It happened early. I signed ahead of my market. I’m very thankful to be joining a winning ball club here in Baltimore.”

Baltimore locked him into a three-year, $49.5-million contract. Despite the relatively short term, this price tag was too risky and too pricey for Boston. O’Neill is still only 29 years old, and this deal bodes well for another multi-year agreement later in his career.

O’Neill has always provided a powerful bat and good outfield defense, but injuries have marred one of the league’s current biggest What Ifs.

O’Neill played the first six seasons of his career for the St. Louis Cardinals, where he was a two-time Gold Glove winner and finished 8th in MVP voting in 2021 — the lone campaign he totaled over 130 games played (138).

After trading for O’Neill last off-season, he was having a career year. That is, until the return of the injury bug. A concussion, knee, leg, and finger issues limited him to just 113 games in Boston. However, in that short time, he still managed 31 home runs, 61 RBIs, and a .847 OPS, all while providing value in left and right field.

According to Baseball Savant, O’Neill ranked in the 98th percentile for barrel%, 90th for hard-hit%, bat speed, and expected slugging.

While he is a tough loss for the Red Sox’s lineup, he has always been a tricky evaluation. Do you go with the raw talent and numbers that scream superstar potential? Or do you value reliability and durability?

O’Neill falls somewhere in the middle of that argument and will slot in nicely on a loaded, budding juggernaut Orioles batting order, at least when healthy.

It will be difficult for Boston fans to see their one-year wonder play for Baltimore, but as has been the case with O’Neill, health concerns will always reign supreme.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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