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Canadian outfielder Tyler O’Neill signs a three-year deal with the Orioles
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Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Dec 7, 2024, 19:30 EST
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A Canadian outfielder is off the market.
On Saturday evening, not only did Willy Adames sign with the San Francisco Giants, but Canadian outfielder Tyler O’Neill signed a three-year, $49 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles with an opt-out after the first season.
The Burnaby, British Columbia native was selected in the third round by the Seattle Mariners in the 2013 draft but made his big league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2018. His career year came in 2021, O’Neill’s first full season, where he slashed .286/.352/.560 with 34 home runs, with a 7.1 BB% and a 31.3 K% for a 143 wRC+ and a 5.3 fWAR.
After two more seasons where he was slightly below average with the Cardinals, they traded him to the Boston Red Sox of the American League East. In return, the Cardinals received Nick Robertson, who is currently on the Toronto Blue Jays’ 40-man roster.
Anyway, O’Neill looked like his 2021 self last season with the Red Sox, as he slashed .241/.336/.511 with 31 home runs in 473 plate appearances, for a 131 wRC+ and a 2.5 fWAR. Interestingly, he had another high K% of 33.6%, along with a career-best 11.2 BB%.
O’Neill has mainly played left field throughout his career, posting 23 Defensive Runs Saved and 9 Outs Above Average in 3354.2 innings at the position. His numbers took a hit due to the Green Monster last season, as he had -1 DRS and -3 OAA in 498 innings in left field with the Red Sox. However, he played a career-high 301.2 innings in right field, where O’Neill had 2 DRS and -1 OAA.
With all that being said, O’Neill will likely replace Anthony Santander next season for the Orioles. Santander is also a free agent and he’s coming off a season where he hit a career-high 44 home runs and had a 129 wRC+. Aside from Juan Soto, Santander is the best outfielder remaining in free agency, alongside former Blue Jay Teoscar Hernández.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.

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