Two days after buying and selling outfielder Alex Verdugo to their division-rival New York Yankees, the Boston Purple Sox have discovered his substitute by buying outfielder Tyler O’Neill in a commerce with the St. Louis Cardinals for pitchers Nick Robertson and Victor Santos.
In his breakout 2021 season with the Cardinals, O’Neill slashed .286/.352/.560 with 34 residence runs and 80 RBI in 138 video games whereas additionally successful his second straight Nationwide League Gold Glove Award in left subject however has failed to copy that success since then.
Over the previous two seasons, he has struggled with accidents, which have led him to solely 168 video games performed whereas posting a .229/.310/.397 slash line with 23 residence runs and 79 RBI.
When wholesome, he’s not solely one of many stronger gamers within the MLB, however he’s additionally one of many quickest along with his sprint speed ranking within the prime 16 yearly since his debut besides 2023.
There had been rumors swirling since early within the 2023 season that O’Neill could be on the transfer after he disagreed with Cardinals supervisor Oli Marmol over not hustling on a play. This continued into the offseason with O’Neill’s agent voicing his displeasure in regards to the scenario.
In return, the Cardinals obtained two pitchers who may find yourself being serviceable however probably should not the return followers had anticipated.
Robertson is a 25-year-old aid pitcher who figures to get an opportunity to make the Cardinals crew out of spring coaching. The precise-hander made his MLB debut in 2023, going 0-1, with a 6.04 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 26 strikeouts in 22.1 innings pitched.
Santos is a 23-year-old pitcher who missed all of 2023 after an harm suffered in spring coaching with Boston, he’ll probably start the yr in Double-A or Triple-A as he works himself again from harm in 2024.