Minnesota Twins Projected to Sign Two-Time Gold Glove Outfielder

This offseason, the Minnesota Twins have plenty of needs . It will be up to the recently promoted Derek Falvey to address them all, and it’s going to take some creativity, given the financial restrictions placed on him and his front office. That doesn’t mean the club will sit out this offseason, especially on the trade market.

But they aren’t being ruled out of free agency entirely, either. And if the Twins were to target one plug-and-play free agent, 29-year-old outfielder Tyler O’Neill would be a pretty good get. Outfielder Tyler O’Neill tabbed as a fit for the Minnesota Twins Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly has O’Neill as the 19th-best free agent currently on the market.



The BR insider has O’Neill landing in Minnesota, where he’d fit in pretty nicely with what the Twins are currently looking for offensively. Kelly notes in the beginning of his rankings that “team projections aren’t just a shot in the dark”, meaning there likely is interest between O’Neill and the Twins. He warns, however, that “there is kind of a domino effect” during free agency.

If one coveted player signs with one team, it affects where unsigned players land after them. 2024 Stats: .241/.

336/.511, 31 HR, 61 RBI, 53 BB, .847 OPS, 2.

5 WAR Age in 2025: 30 Contract Prediction: Two years, $28 million with player opt-out available after 2025 Team Prediction: Minnesota Twins Tyler O’Neill is so frustrating because he’s an All-Star level player when he’s on the field. But this past season with the Red Sox he had three injured-list stints. What’s crazy is that despite that, the 113 games he played were his most since 2021, when he looked like one of the game’s emerging superstars with the Cardinals.

O’Neill’s health history will limit his earning potential in free agency, but it’s hard to argue with the production he puts up when he’s on the field. Hitting 31 home runs is pretty remarkable when you miss nearly 50 games..

. O’Neill will also be a qualifying-offer candidate next offseason if he is able to stay healthy. O’Neill, a 2013 3rd round pick of the Seattle Mariners, is one of the top corner outfielders on the market.

He’s coming off of a one-and-done season with the Boston Red Sox, after winning a pair of Gold Gloves during six seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. Tyler would play the opposite side (left field), but the 7-year MLB vet would indirectly replace the defense Max Kepler took with him to free agency, and he’s a more proven bat than either of Matt Wallner or Trevor Larnach.

Does O’Neill really make sense for the Twins? The contract that Kelly proposes for O’Neill is an interesting one. At two years and $28 million, isn’t cheap. Knowing the Twins’ current budgeting situation, money would have to be shed from the roster, in order bring on Tyler O'Neill (6) Solo Home Run Opponent: Baltimore Orioles Pitcher: Corbin Burnes Date: 4/9/24 pic.

twitter.com/fvzWyapN33 I’m going to be honest. I am not sure where the Minnesota Twins will find the money for a player like Tyler O’Neill.

Unless the deal is back-loaded or they trade Carlos Correa, it’s unlikely they sign anyone for $14 million per season. They’re already trying to trade veteran contracts , to open up additional space in their self-imposed budget. If Falvey is able to do that, it’s unlikely they spend it all in one place, which they’d probably have to do, in order to land O’Neill.

If there’s a way to make a deal with Tyler O’Neill work, he’d be an ideal addition to the Twins’ offense. The slugger played in the same lineup with infielder Edouard Julien for Canada in the 2023 World Baseball classic. Max Kepler is gone and the outfield could use a right-handed bat.

Matt Wallner has earned a starting role, but the jury remains out on Trevor Larnach. O’Neill brings a bit more security to the grass, and his power potential would be a welcomed boost as well. His 2.

5 fWAR wasn’t the 5.3 mark he posted in 2021 while earning MVP votes, but that upside remains, if he can stay on the field. Tyler O'Neill sends a #walkoff HR way over the Monster! pic.

twitter.com/nRtMZdBOo1 The addition of a moderately-expensive free agent seems far-fetched right now. Falvey has plenty of time to work a blueprint going into next year though.

If O’Neill makes his way into the picture, then things have gone well for Minnesota. This article first appeared on Minnesota Sports Fan and was syndicated with permission..