New York Mets owner Steve Cohen has never shied away from making bold moves to bring in top-tier talent. After giving Juan Soto the biggest contract in sports history, expectations are sky-high for the Mets to be strong World Series contenders this year.
However, a series of injuries and uneven performances from key players might force Cohen to make another significant acquisition. The team’s outfield, in particular, has been a major concern so far this season. One analyst has even suggested a hypothetical trade that could bring a powerful bat to bolster New York’s outfield.
In a Bleacher Report article, Kerry Miller identified Baltimore Orioles outfielder Tyler O’Neill as a possible trade target for the Mets. Miller noted, “The pool of viable options will largely depend on how competitive teams like Baltimore and San Francisco remain.” He also mentioned that while Luis Robert is the most prominent name likely to be on the market, both the Orioles and Giants have several outfielders who could become free agents after the season
Tyler O’Neill has played for three different MLB teams over his eight-year career. After spending six seasons with the Cardinals, the 29-year-old had a stint with the Red Sox last year before signing a three-year, $49.5 million contract with the Orioles. A two-time Gold Glove winner, O’Neill has been a solid performer, posting a career 13.2 bWAR.
His career batting line of .247/.323/.470 with a .793 OPS is above the league average, and he’s displayed power with 111 home runs. He could provide a boost to a Mets lineup that’s currently underperforming and would be a strong fit alongside Juan Soto in the outfield. O’Neill also has an opt-out clause after this season, which could give Baltimore extra motivation to move him before the trade deadline.
