As the Baltimore Orioles seek to return to the top of the American League East, they bolstered their lineup on Saturday with a veteran power hitter.
The Orioles are in an agreement with outfielder Tyler O’Neill on a three-year, $49.5 million contract with an opt-out after the first year, according to a league source. The deal is pending a physical.
Source confirms: Tyler O’Neill in agreement with Orioles on three-year, $49.5M contract with opt-out after first year, pending physical. First: @JonHeyman
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2024
The 29-year-old had a bounce-back year at the plate in 2024 for the Boston Red Sox, leading the team with 31 homers while hitting .241 with an .847 OPS in 113 games. After two seasons derailed by injuries, 2024 marked O’Neill’s best year since 2021. Until last season, O’Neill had spent his entire career in St. Louis before the Cardinals traded him to Boston last winter for two minor-league pitchers.
Alongside Rafael Devers, O’Neill powered the Red Sox’s offense with dramatic displays of power, but often had prolonged stretches where he failed to reach base. Despite the 31 homers, he also struck out an alarming 33.6 percent of the time, above his 30.8 percent career rate. O’Neill missed time at the start of the season for a concussion and then missed more time later in the season for a leg infection, but otherwise remained healthy.
While he won two Gold Gloves in St. Louis, O’Neill provided average defense in Boston, splitting time between left (70 games) and right (50 games) with minus-4 Outs Above Average.
The Red Sox opted not to extend O’Neill a qualifying offer despite a desire to add more right-handed balance to their lineup. He had expressed a desire to return to Boston, but now he’ll be competing against his former club for a division rival.
O’Neill offers a young Orioles lineup a veteran power bat, something they could lose with Anthony Santander now a free agent.
(Photo: Brian Fluharty / Getty Images)
