Long gone are the days when the Boston Red Sox could be expected to compete for top-tier, expensive, once-in-a-generation free agents. The New York Mets now occupy their former space at the top of the market.
The Mets and Yankees are expected to be the top candidates for impending free agent Juan Soto's services, which are sure to be expensive. Many believe the Yankees have the advantage in the hunt for Soto — he's made it all the way to the World Series and seems to love playing in the Bronx.
If the Mets miss out on signing Soto, they'll search for another slugging outfielder to compensate. David Schoenfield of ESPN listed multiple less expensive outfield options New York could pursue, and 2024 Red Sox Tyler O'Neill was among them (subscription required).
Boston and O'Neill have expressed mutual interest in an extension, but a potential offer from the Mets could complicate the Sox's chances to sign the outfielder. New York's owner, Steve Cohen, is the richest in MLB, and he's become known for his willingness to spend exorbitant amounts of money to field a competitive team — although it hasn't always worked. If Cohen really wanted O'Neill on the Mets, the now-cheap Red Sox would never compete with his offer.
O'Neill posted a rebound season in his first year outside the Cardinals organization. He batted .241/.336/.511 with a .847 OPS, 18 doubles and a team-leading 31 homers over 113 games. O'Neill has only hit more bombs once in his seven-year career in 2021, when he clocked 34 long balls in 138 games and received MVP votes for his performance.
ESPN links 2024 Red Sox Tyler O'Neill to Mets if they miss out on Juan Soto
"I really hope Boston (takes) interest in me... I've made a lot of good relationships and friendships here, really enjoyed the city."
— NESN (@NESN) September 18, 2024
Tyler O'Neill on his upcoming free agency@WebsterOnTV | #RedSox pic.twitter.com/EkwvgD6lTL
O'Neill is also a quality defender. He won two Gold Gloves in his career in 2020-21, but struggled in his first year playing more than half his games at Fenway Park. His negative four outs above average is the worst performance of his career in that category, but 2024 was his first campaign in one of the hardest outfields in MLB.
Lucky for the Red Sox, there are other solid righty outfield options the Mets could pursue, or they could pursue themselves if New York signs O'Neill. Schoenfield also listed Teoscar Hernández and Anthony Santander as available righty outfielders with a power streak — they hit 33 and 44 home runs, respectively in 2024.
Boston could have a leg-up on New York when it comes to signing O'Neill. The Sox could extend a qualifying offer to the slugger to tack another year onto his contract without the long-term risk of an extension for a frequently injured player. The $21.05 million payday could be more than the Red Sox are willing to spend on O'Neill, though, as he's never played more than 138 games in a single season and usually doesn't get close to that number.
Soto will have a lot of negotiating to do before he signs anywhere this offseason. If the Sox get to O'Neill before the Mets' potential whiff on Soto, they could avoid competing with them for his services and any risk of Cohen inflating his price.