In an unexpected move, the Red Sox have acquired outfielder Tyler O’Neill from the St. Louis Cardinals. Boston dealt for the powerful right-handed hitter, whose potential has been hindered by injuries. However, it is anticipated that O’Neill will seamlessly fit into the Red Sox’s everyday lineup. The Cardinals, on the other hand, received right-handed reliever Nick Robertson and minor league right-handed starter Victor Santos in the deal. This trade had been anticipated, as St. Louis had made O’Neill available during the winter and aimed to move him prior to the new year.
At 28 years old, O’Neill had a breakout season two years ago, establishing himself as a key player for the Cardinals. His impressive performance led to him being considered a core member of the team moving forward. However, injuries as well as a public feud with St. Louis manager Oli Marmol have tarnished his trajectory. O’Neill’s injuries prevented him from reaching his full potential, while the public dispute with Marmol opened the door for his departure from the Cardinals.
When healthy, O’Neill has proven to be an All-Star-caliber player. In 2021, he finished eighth in the National League MVP voting, boasting a .286 batting average, a .352 on-base percentage, and a .560 slugging percentage. He also contributed 34 home runs and 80 RBIs. Over the past two seasons, despite battling injuries, O’Neill played in 168 games, hitting .229 with 23 home runs and 79 RBIs. He primarily played in left field and center field, showcasing his versatility.
Managerial Conflict and Consequences
At the beginning of the 2023 season, tensions escalated between O’Neill and manager Oli Marmol. Marmol publicly criticized O’Neill’s effort in a play where he was thrown out at home by Ronald Acuna Jr., who would later be crowned NL MVP. The public critique from Marmol led to O’Neill expressing his frustration, and unfortunately, this incident foreshadowed the Cardinals’ disappointing season. They ended the year with a 71-91 record, marking their worst performance in over 25 years.
O’Neill, who is set to earn between $5 million and $6 million through arbitration this season, will become a free agent after 2024. Therefore, acquiring him provides the Red Sox with a valuable player capable of contributing to their lineup for the next few seasons. This move is part of Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow’s strategy to strengthen the team. Breslow’s previous deal involved acquiring right-handed reliever Isaiah Campbell from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for third baseman Luis Urias.
The Cardinals’ surplus of outfielders, including Lars Nootbaar, Tommy Edman, Jordan Walker, Dylan Carlson, and Alec Burleson, enabled them to prioritize their need for pitching depth. This surplus allowed St. Louis to target Robertson and Santos in the trade. Nick Robertson, a hulking right-hander, made his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers before being traded to the Red Sox in July. While his performance was inconsistent, his 95 mph fastball combined with his changeup and slider make him a promising addition to the Cardinals’ bullpen. Victor Santos, known for his excellent control, possesses a mediocre fastball along with an intriguing split-fingered fastball. Although he missed the entire 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery, Santos showcased his potential in the previous year, recording a 4.97 ERA in 145 innings with 126 strikeouts, 34 walks, and 23 home runs allowed.
The Red Sox’s acquisition of Tyler O’Neill presents an opportunity to bolster their lineup with a talented outfielder, while the Cardinals prioritize their pitching depth. This trade has the potential to impact both teams positively, and only time will tell how this exchange will shape the upcoming seasons in Major League Baseball.
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