The Baltimore Orioles signed veteran outfielder Tyler O’Neill to a three-year contract Saturday. The deal is worth nearly $50 million, or $49.50, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman.

The deal came as somewhat of a surprise considering the Orioles have been primarily linked to pitching this offseason. The team is expected 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 also has an opt-out after the 2025 season.

Originally from 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 drove in 61 runs. He’s only played 113 games due to various health issues, so if he’s healthy for a full 162-game season, he’s easily a 40-homer candidate.

He should also help alleviate the loss of Anthony Santander, who is also expected to leave in free agency. 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, knowing that the team will also use platoon options at times.

C: Adley Rutschman

1B: Ryan Mountcastle, Ryan O’Hearn

2B: Jackson Holiday

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 was bounced in the playoffs by the Kansas City Royals (wild card round).

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