The Los Angeles Dodgers are at it again. They've agreed to the first nine-figure deal of the winter by coming to terms with starting pitcher Blake Snell on a five-year, $182 million deal. Could Boston Red Sox outfielder Tyler O'Neill be their next big offseason move?
While Juan Soto is the best outfielder available, landing in Hollywood on a big-money deal doesn't seem likely right now. But since Mookie Betts is once again switching back to the infield for 2025, the Dodgers need to acquire another outfielder.
Will that acquisition be re-signing Teoscar Hernández? That seems to be the most likely scenario, but anything can happen once a player hits free agency. There are other intriguing options available, like O'Neill.
After being limited to 168 total games from 2022-23, the right-handed slugger had a big year for Boston in 113 games. He led the Red Sox with 31 home runs, which was accompanied by 61 RBI, 74 runs scored and a .847 OPS.
Is he destined to land in Los Angeles with the Dodgers? ESPN's David Schoenfield picked "one big move" for every club to make this winter. He's predicting O'Neill signs with L.A. on a three-year, $50 million deal.
"He had a great bounce-back season with the Red Sox after dealing with injuries the previous two years, slugging .511 with 31 home runs in 113 games in 2024," Schoenfield wrote. "Like Hernandez, O'Neill crushed lefties, so he would be a nice fit in the lineup between Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy. And he's a better outfielder than Hernandez."
In addition to posting two seasons of 30-plus homers since 2021, O'Neill is also a two-time Gold Glove Award winner. He earned those honors in back-to-back campaigns from 2020-21. He'd be an interesting fit for the Dodgers, especially if Hernández decides to leave for a multi-year deal elsewhere.
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