Once upon a time, the Boston Red Sox rarely worried about losing a star player to an American League Central team. But those days may be over as smaller-market teams like the Kansas City Royals look to make a serious splash in free agency. Traditionally, the AL Central has been MLB’s most budget-conscious division, but in recent years, several teams have started spending more aggressively to compete with big-market rivals. Leading this new trend, Kansas City made waves last offseason by shelling out over $100 million in free-agent contracts, signaling that they’re committed to building a more competitive roster. They’re already active this winter, recently extending pitcher Michael Wacha to a three-year, $51 million deal.
The Royals’ next big move may be to lure a slugger out of Boston’s lineup: Tyler O’Neill, the Red Sox’s home run leader in 2024. A key piece in Boston’s offensive arsenal, O’Neill now finds himself in high demand as he enters free agency. Known for his explosive power, the 29-year-old right fielder is a perfect target for teams seeking a reliable bat in the heart of their lineup. Jack Oliver of Jomboy Media, better known as “Jolly Olive,” recently predicted that O’Neill will end up signing with the Royals on a two-year deal, adding fuel to a potential rivalry between Boston and Kansas City.
“Tyler O’Neill, I see him going back to Missouri but for the Royals this time,” Oliver commented. “And there are two big reasons why. First, Kansas City struggled immensely against left-handed pitching last season. If you look at O’Neill’s lefty-righty splits, they’re insane. He recorded a .693 OPS against lefties and an eye-popping 1.180 OPS against right-handers, which would really help even out Kansas City’s lineup. Second, their outfield production was underwhelming last year, and O’Neill’s 20 home runs would give them the power boost they need. You just hope that he can stay healthy.”
O’Neill’s 2024 season was the second-best of his career, where he showcased his power with 31 home runs over just 113 games, accompanied by an impressive .854 OPS. However, injury troubles and a high strikeout rate have kept some teams on the fence about long-term investment. Nonetheless, many teams are keenly interested in acquiring his bat, including AL Central rival the Detroit Tigers and the San Francisco Giants. ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently linked him to these teams, indicating that competition for O’Neill is heating up as free agency kicks into full swing.
Meanwhile, Tim Britton of The Athletic projects that O’Neill could command a three-year, $45 million contract. That figure could be enticing for Kansas City, whose budget now allows for higher-value players. The Red Sox declined to extend a qualifying offer to O’Neill, making him an unrestricted free agent and potentially setting the stage for his departure. If Kansas City does secure O’Neill, Boston could be looking at a new AL Central adversary in the race for a playoff berth next season.
Kansas City has typically remained in a rebuilding phase in recent years, focusing on developing young talent. However, their recent moves suggest a more aggressive approach to building a roster that can contend in the short term. Signing a player of O’Neill’s caliber would be a significant statement for the Royals, signaling their intent to compete with AL East teams like Boston for postseason success.
If O’Neill does sign with the Royals, Boston fans might feel the sting of watching one of their power hitters leave for a rising team in Kansas City. The Red Sox would face the possibility of battling with O’Neill’s new club for a playoff spot, adding a new layer of intensity to matchups between the two franchises. This potential rivalry could inject excitement and competition between the two teams, especially if both find themselves in the wild card race next season.
Leave a Reply