Projecting the Baltimore Orioles Starting Lineup After Signing Tyler O'Neill

The 30-year-old Canadian signed a three-year deal with the Orioles on Saturday, giving the team some more power and thump to the lineup.

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) throws out Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (4) in the sixth inning at Target Field on Sept 27. / Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The Baltimore Orioles signed veteran outfielder Tyler O'Neill to a three-year contract on Saturday. The deal is worth nearly $50 million, checking in at $49.5, according to MLB Insider Jon Heyman.

The deal was somewhat of a surprise considering that the Orioles have been connected with pitching mostly this offseason. The team is projected to lose Corbin Burnes in free agency, so they need to replace him, and they needed more help in the rotation even when they had Burnes in the fold.

O'Neill has an opt-out following the 2025 season as well.

Orioles, OF Tyler O'Neill agree to 3-year deal with an opt-out after 2025, per multiple reports including @MLBNetwork insider @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/3DzoHyzDY1

— MLB (@MLB) December 8, 2024

A native of Canada, O'Neill is coming off a year in which he hit 31 home runs for the Boston Red Sox. With a .241 average, he also brought in 61 runs. He played just 113 games because of various health issues, so if he's healthy for a full 162-game season, he's easily a 40-home run candidate.

He should also help alleviate the loss of Anthony Santander, who is likely to leave in free agency as well. O'Neill is a seven-year veteran of the St. Louis Cardinals Red Sox.

With him in the fold, let's take a look at the projected starting lineup for Baltimore, understanding the team will also use platoon options at times.

C: Adley Rutschman

1B: Ryan Mountcastle, Ryan O'Hearn

2B: Jackson Holliday

SS: Gunnar Henderson

3B: Jordan Westburg

OF: Cedric Mullins, O'Neill, Colton Cowser

DH: Heston Kjerstad, O'Hearn

The Orioles finished second in the American League East this season and were bounced in the playoffs by the Kansas City Royals (wild card round).

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