SPRINGFIELD — Tyler O’Neill, who the Red Sox acquired for pitchers Nick Robertson and Victor Santos from the Cardinals in December, enjoyed a career year in 2021 when he won one of his two Gold Gloves.
O’Neill finished eighth in the NL MVP voting that season. He batted .286 with a .352 on-base percentage, .560 slugging percentage, .912 OPS, 34 homers, 26 doubles, two triples, 89 runs, 80 RBIs, 15 steals, 38 walks and 168 strikeouts in 138 games (537 plate appearances) for St. Louis.
But the 2021 season also marks the only year he has appeared in more than 96 games. He has been on the injured list 12 different times since 2018.
“Unfortunately, I’ve dealt with multiple injuries the last couple of years,” O’Neill said. “So I just try and learn from the experiences I’m given. I’ve learned a lot just in terms of biomechanics and how to take care of my body, how to prep. I fully believe that player is still in there. And I feel like I have more than that in the tank still. So the big thing for me is just staying healthy. Once I get into the rhythm, get consistent everyday at-bats, then I can start to feel comfortable and be that player again. I’m looking forward to getting there.”
He made some changes this offseason.
“I’m on a new training program this year,” O’Neill said. “Just really intensive with the prep work and taking care of my body before I get into my actual workouts and stuff. The hitting program has been awesome. The body feels like it’s in great shape. So I’m looking to see how that’s going to carry over into everyday baseball activity when we get down to Fort Myers. But I’m excited. I feel like I’m in a really good spot physically and mentally as well.”
He appeared in 72 games for St. Louis in 2023, slashing .231/.312/.403/.715 with nine homers, 14 doubles, 27 runs and 21 RBIs (266 plate appearances). He spent time on the 60-day IL with a lower back strain and 10-day injured list with a right foot sprain.
O’Neill said “fresh starts are good.” He’ll get that with the Red Sox.
“I’m looking forward to this opportunity,” he said. “I visited Fenway in ‘22. I was just in awe with the city and the fans. And the ballpark is just so awesome. So I’m looking forward to seeing what that’s like for 81 games in the home uniform. I think it’s going to be a great time. Just want to make an impact and help this ball club win as many games as we can.”
O’Neill expected to be traded this offseason.
“At the end of my tenure with St. Louis, I was kind of getting to the point where I was going to get moved out of there,” he said. “So it’s more of a question of where. I got the call saying I was coming to Boston. So that was a very exciting moment for me. Obviously I enjoyed my six years in St. Louis. I’ll cherish those for the rest of my life. But again, fresh opportunities are good and I’m really looking forward to this one.”
O’Neill has started 324 games in left field, 36 games in center field and 12 games in right field during his big league career.
“I’m willing and able to play wherever Alex wants me on a day to day basis,” he said. “And I know I have the range to play in right field if I have to. Wherever they want me, I’m willing and able.”
The Red Sox have not yet told O’Neill their plan for where he will play in the outfield. He’s fine with moving around to all three spots.
It doesn’t really matter too much to me,” O’Neill said. “Obviously as a player I like to get in my rhythm and I like consistency and such. But again, I don’t know what it’s going to look like for positioning. We’ll see.”
