Tyler O’Neill Joins Orioles After Wall Adjustment

SARASOTA, Fla. — Tyler O’Neill, a product of a renowned bodybuilder, clearly showcases his athleticism. He would likely prefer to play without sleeves, similar to Ted Kluszewski. As a consistent player, O’Neill is known for his strength at the plate.

However, even for one of baseball’s most muscled athletes, the left-field wall at Camden Yards proved challenging.

“That wall was intense,” O’Neill remarked, noting his struggles with home runs in Baltimore. “They recognized that it was too harsh, especially for hitters like me. When I heard the news about moving the fences in, I thought: ‘That’s intriguing.’ A few days later, our conversations progressed, and things started to materialize.”

The Baltimore Orioles announced in November their decision to move in the left-field wall, which had been a significant distance from home plate. Shortly after, O’Neill agreed to a three-year contract worth $49.5 million, leaving the Boston Red Sox.

O’Neill, a two-time Gold Glove winner with the St. Louis Cardinals, topped the Red Sox roster with 31 home runs last season, boasting a .511 slugging percentage—better than Anthony Santander’s .496, despite Santander hitting 44 home runs for the Orioles.

Orioles Offseason Moves

The Orioles had a relatively quiet offseason aside from their construction updates. They also lost ace starter Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, filling his position with veteran pitchers Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano, each signing one-year contracts.

General Manager Mike Elias remains optimistic about the current roster’s durability, suggesting they can provide the innings needed in the rotation. However, questions linger regarding whether the team could have enhanced their lineup this winter, particularly given that O’Neill is currently the only player signed beyond this season—a signing that highlights his value as the richest deal Elias has handed out in his six-year tenure.