The Baltimore Orioles finalized deals to acquire outfielder and catcher, signing them to three-year and one-year contracts, respectively.
Top outfielder deal is valued at $49.5 million, with an even distribution of $16.5 million per year and a player opt-out clause following the 2025 season. Meanwhile, Sánchez’s one-year contract is worth $8.5 million, positioning him as a backup to All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman.
“These are two profiles we targeted this offseason,” said Orioles general manager Mike Elias.
O’Neill batted .241 with 31 home runs and 61 RBIs while playing for the Boston Red Sox last season, his first with the team after beginning his career with the St. Louis Cardinals. Notably, he made history with Boston by homering in his debut and setting a record for hitting a home run on five consecutive Opening Days.
The 29-year-old was named the 2023 American League Comeback Player of the Year after overcoming leg injuries and a concussion that limited him to 72 games that season. Following a trade to Boston, he played in 113 games, the second-highest total of his career.
His most productive season came in 2021, when he played 138 games and set career highs in batting average (.286), home runs (34), RBIs (80), and stolen bases (15).
O’Neill’s versatility in playing both corner outfield positions will be crucial for the Orioles, especially if switch-hitting slugger Anthony Santander departs in free agency. As a right-handed batter, O’Neill adds balance to a predominantly left-handed lineup featuring Gunnar Henderson, Colton Cowser, Jackson Holliday, Heston Kjerstad, and Cedric Mullins.
“They both bring a tremendous amount of right-handed power and perform well against both righties and lefties,” said general manager Mike Elias. “Tyler, in particular, has been extremely effective against left-handed pitching, which addresses a relative weakness in our lineup’s composition.”
Sánchez, who spent last season with the Milwaukee Brewers, posted a .220 batting average with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs over 89 games. Over his 10 MLB seasons, he has accumulated 184 career home runs and 485 RBIs. Sánchez was the runner-up for American League Rookie of the Year in 2016, finishing behind Detroit pitcher Michael Fulmer.
“With James McCann entering free agency, we needed another catcher, and Sánchez fits well alongside Adley,” Elias explained. “Having a Spanish-speaking catcher complements our roster, and his solid performance with Milwaukee last season earned positive feedback from their players and coaching staff.”
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