Tyler O’Neillwho crushed 31 home runs for the Red Sox in 2024, he has signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Saturday evening
O’Neill hit .511 with an .847 OPS in 113 games.
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The Red Sox and O’Neill had some mutual interest. Instead, he’s headed to an AL East rival, and the Red Sox must replace their righty production through trade or free agency.
Boston’s lineup is very lefty-heavy. He was 17-26 against left-handed starters and ranked 12th in the majors in slugging against lefties (.409) in 2024.
Baseball manager Craig Breslow said on Sept. 30, “Whether it’s Tyler or somebody else, replacing that kind of production in the middle of the lineup is going to be a priority.”
O’Neill spent just one season with the Red Sox. Boston acquired him from the Cardinals last December 8 for pitchers Nick Robertson and Victor Santos. The slugger appeared in 498 innings in left field and 301 ⅔ innings in right field.
Breslow said in November that the Red Sox not only needed to add a right-handed hitter but they also need better production from the right-handed hitters already on the roster.