Major League Baseball is buzzing with activity as the offseason sees a significant number of players, including former St. Louis Cardinals, enter the open market. One of the most
sought-after names is outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who is poised to secure a lucrative contract this winter.
O’Neill, who spent his first six seasons with the Cardinals, was traded to the Boston Red Sox prior to the 2024 season. In his lone season with Boston, O’Neill turned in a strong
performance, hitting 31 home runs and driving in 61 RBIs over 113 games. While his peak came in 2021 with St. Louis—when he recorded 34 home runs and 80 RBIs in 138 games—he remains a powerful asset with the potential to bolster any lineup.
The Athletic’s Andy McCullough highlighted O’Neill as a key free agent to watch, suggesting that the Pittsburgh Pirates could be a strong fit for the right-handed slugger.
Despite injury setbacks that limited him to 113 games in 2024, O’Neill’s impressive .511 slugging percentage and two Gold Glove awards with St. Louis demonstrate his considerable upside.
“Pittsburgh, not too far from being a contender in the NL Central, could take a chance on a three-year deal for O’Neill,” McCullough noted, emphasizing that the 29-year-old’s potential is worth the risk, despite concerns over his injury history.
While parting with O’Neill may have been a practical decision for the Cardinals, the thought of facing him in the division for years to come could pose a real challenge.