Dodgers lose free agent outfielder in $50M deal with AL Squad

The Los Angeles Dodgers have passed on a potential free agent addition in the outfield. Outfielder Tyler O’Neill has signed a three-year, $49.5 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, according to multiple reports.

O’Neill was linked to the Dodgers throughout the offseason as a potential addition if Teoscar Hernández left and the team didn’t sign Juan Soto. Now he’s off the board before any of the free agents have made their decision.

In other news: Juan Soto Rumors – Major Update on Dodgers Offer, Signing Timeline

Due to a trade, O’Neill played one season with the Boston Red Sox. After six seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, the two-time National League Gold Glove winner was traded to Boston in exchange for right-handed pitchers Nick Robertson and Victor Santos.

In Boston, O’Neill posted his highest slash line since 2021. The right-handed hitter batted .511 and hit 31 home runs in 113 games during the regular season. For the first time since 2022, O’Neill appeared in the batting league rankings. His 31 home runs ranked 10th in the American League.

On the other hand, O’Neill constantly battles injuries and only reached the 100-game mark twice in his career (2021, 2024). Even this season, the Red Sox sent O’Neill to the injured list three times. He suffered a concussion in April, inflammation of his right knee in May and an infection of his left leg in August. All three injuries left him sidelined for less than two weeks, and only the right knee injury required minor league rehab.

With Mookie Betts moving back to the infield this year, there are still several openings in the Dodgers outfield. Now, if the team misses out on Soto, Hernández may go bust.

In other news: Dodgers fan favorite Kiké Hernández posts a picture of himself in an Astros jersey on Instagram