Tyler O'Neill is talking free agency, Red Sox
Tyler O'Neill certainly would have seemed to leave a positive impression on the Red Sox in his one season in Boston. In 113 games he finished with 31 home runs and and .847 OPS.
For what the Red Sox were looking for - a right-handed power-hitting outfielder - he seemed like a good fit. It's a partnership that also appeared logical heading into 2025.
But, according to O'Neill, the Red Sox had other ideas.
Appearing on the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast, the 29-year-old explained how he was taken aback by the Red Sox' choice not to pursue O'Neill in free agency, leading the righty slugger to his three-year, $49.5 million deal (that includes an opt-out after 2025).
"There just wasn't that push from that side to get me," O'Neill said of the Red Sox. "Obviously, Boston was caught up in the Soto Sweepstakes, and rightfully so. They should be in that market. They should be in the ballpark in spending that kind of money on those types of guys who are generational players. I think they should be in that conversation. But when I'm getting prioritized interest on the other side with a really good opportunity there's nothing for me to wait around on.
"I was surprised in the lack of interest. There was a little bit of interest early on at the GM Meetings in November. Obviously, every organization is going to be talking to Scott with the player personnel he had coming into the market this year. And Bres and Company made it known they were interested in me, but where I fell in the pecking order I have no idea. I don't know if I was second or fourth or fifth or whatever they looked like. So it never got to numbers. It never got to anything serious. It is what it is."
O'Neill went on to explain that the Orioles made it clear from early on in the free agent process that the player would be one of their priorities. But even with the O's intent and financial commitment, there probably wouldn't have been a fit if not for Baltimore's decision to move in Camden Yards' left field wall by as much as 20 feet in some areas.
"To be honest with you, I don't know if I would consider signing with Baltimore with that left field how it was the last couple of years with my player profile and how I hit the ball. It would swallow me up a little bit," O'Neill said.
"I think the Baltimore organization realized they were going to lose that side of the plate where that park was at, because guys like me wouldn't want to sign there. Just to have it as a more reasonable length ... It's still relatively deep out there, but now you have to hit the ball 375 feet instead of 400 feet for it to be damage or a home run and that's much more reasonable to expect. I think the new ownership that Baltimore has is going to be really good for that organization as well. Obviously, signing me is a good step in the right direction for them."
The Red Sox, meanwhile, remain on the lookout for a right-handed replacement for O'Neill, with Teoscar Hernandez still seemingly near the top of their list.