Tyler O'Neill reveals a big reason why he signed with the Orioles this offseason
Former Red Sox outfielder Tyler O’Neill signed with the Orioles this offseason after spending one season in Boston. One of the reasons why O’Neill decided to join Baltimore was because they’re moving the left field wall in anywhere from nine to 20 feet.
"To be honest, I don't know if I would consider signing in Baltimore with that left field, how it was the last couple of years, just for my player profile and how I hit the ball," O'Neill told Rob Bradford on the "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast. "It swallowed me up a little bit."
O’Neill belted 31 homers for the Sox last season while also slashing .241/.336/.511 and driving in 61 RBI in 113 games.
The slugger said that the Orioles made him a priority, contacting him early on in free agency. One of the first conversations O’Neill had with Orioles general manager Mike Elias was about the ballpark dimensions.
“The first conversations that Scott and Mike had together, the wall was definitely part of that conversation,” O’Neill said. “I think it’s good for guys like me, obviously, and I’m looking forward to seeing what that looks like in person. But it was definitely a topic.
“I was very excited that Baltimore was interested in me. Playing in the AL East throughout the year, obviously, they were a tough opponent all year. They can hit; they’ve got really good starters, and the bullpen is lockdown. So, for me to be able to join that and try and do what I can on my side to help that roster out, I’m really excited for that. There’s a lot of potential with this young core of guys that they have. Winning 91 ballgames last year, hopefully we can add to that this year. I’m very excited to see where it goes.”
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O’Neill expects to play every day for Baltimore and will be Anthony Santander’s replacement in the outfield. Santander remains unsigned this offseason and has been a rumored target of the Red Sox.
“Obviously, they want me to be part of the everyday lineup, and I’m looking forward to being able to contribute in that regard,” O’Neill said to the Orioles media call on Monday.
“I understand last year I had some splits that were a little more drastic than in years before, but honestly, part of that was playing at Fenway Park and just being in that home ballpark and really trying to tailor my approach to the left field wall. They wanted me to open up to the pull side and kind of had to play up front a little bit more, which left me less room for error. And it worked out. It worked out well, for sure, but it definitely caused some streakiness, so to be able to play in a ballpark that’s symmetrical like Camden Yards, I’m really excited to be able to exploit right-center more and use the whole field and see what I can post on top of that.”
O’Neill’s deal is the largest Elias has handed out since he was hired in 2018. In addition to O’Neill, the Orioles also signed veteran catcher Gary Sanchez this offseason.
