Padres Urged to Acquire Tyler O'Neill to Fix Outfield Hole
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The San Diego Padres have surprised many this season as they've gotten off to a red-hot start, going 31-23 and sitting just two games back of the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.
The Padres' success has come after a quiet offseason in which they saw many of last year's key contributors walk away. Their biggest addition was starting pitcher Nick Pivetta on a four-year, $55 million deal in February.
More news: MLB Power Rankings — Yankees Rise, Dodgers Plummet Ahead of World Series Rematch
Nevertheless, the Padres have picked up where they left off last year, and are making a serious case to be one of the league's top teams.
However, there's one clear hole that needs to be patched up.
The Padres lost last year's left fielder in All-Star Jurickson Profar, who signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the Atlanta Braves before being suspended for violating the league's banned substance policy.
The Padres failed to replace his production this offseason, bringing in a platoon of veterans Jason Heyward and Connor Joe, the latter of whom has already been shipped off to the Reds. Heyward, still on the roster, has been abysmal, hitting .176 and currently making his second stint on the injured list.
The Padres are already scouring the trade market for a left fielder, and Jason Fray of Sports Illustrated came up with a perfect option, linking them to Baltimore Orioles slugger Tyler O'Neill.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 21: Newly named Manager of the San Diego Padres Mike Shildt and Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller speak at the introductory press conference at Petco...
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 21: Newly named Manager of the San Diego Padres Mike Shildt and Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller speak at the introductory press conference at Petco Park on November 21, 2023 in San Diego, California. More
Matt Thomas/San"Tyler O'Neill of the Baltimore Orioles is a guy that could end up being a major difference-maker," Fray wrote. "The talent has never been a question with him. O'Neill is a very good athlete with an elite arm and some light-tower power to boot."
More news: Dodgers Pitcher Elects to Leave Organization, Head to Free Agency
O'Neill is currently working his way back from a shoulder injury. The right-handed hitter got off to a hot start before cooling down tremendously. On the year, he's hitting .188 with two home runs and an OPS of .605.
However, in 113 games last season with the Boston Red Sox, O'Neill had his second career 30-plus home run campaign, finishing with an OPS of .847. He's also a two-time Gold Glove award winner, and would fix by far the biggest flaw in San Diego's roster.
As for his price tag, he signed a three-year, $49.5 million deal this offseason, but has an opt-out after this season.
"San Diego could bet on O'Neill returning to form, and he would be a great fit with the Padres considering the energy with which he plays," Fray wrote.
"If he comes over via trade and puts up huge numbers, he'll likely reenter the market with San Diego not having to be on the hook for substantial money. If he doesn't, he'd theoretically opt-in with the Padres and have only two years left on his deal where San Diego would get him on a short commitment within his playing prime."
With the Orioles sitting at 19-36, there's a good chance they're forced to sell at the deadline.
For more MLB news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Second Round Rookie Making Major Impact At Commanders OTAs
Second Round Rookie Making Major Impact At Commanders OTAs originally appeared on Athlon Sports. OTAs are never a clear mark on how good a rookie class is going to be during the regular season. That being said, it's always a good thing when young players are making impactful plays during this time of the year. Advertisement That is true especially for Washington Commanders second-round cornerback Trey Amos. The Ole Miss prospect has turned heads in the nation's capital with some impressive plays throughout OTAs. And it has Commander fans hoping they have a true lockdown cornerback on the roster. "Trey Amos' inclusion to the Washington Commanders' lineup has the chance to serve two purposes in the team's secondary," Bleacher Report wrote following the practice. "First, he can bookend last year's acquisition of Marshon Lattimore or outright serve as the team's top outside corner depending on whether the veteran stays healthy. "This year's 61st overall pick doesn't look overwhelmed when facing Washington's top wide receivers during organized team activities." Advertisement Amos was one of the better coverage corners in the draft, and fell to Washington in a surprise to some. He joins a secondary with veteran Marshon Lattimore leading the way in his first full season with the team. As an outside corner, Amos knows he'll have his hands full. … Especially in the NFC East. In a division with the likes of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Malik Nabers, Amos is expected to get picked on a lot this season with Washington. So far in OTAs, he appears up to the challenge. Related: Jayden Daniels 'Holding Commanders To A Standard' With Super Bowl Goals Related: Commanders Marcus Mariota Helps Hype Oregon As World Series Contenders This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Flying High: Toronto Blue Jays on upswing entering home series against Phillies
TORONTO - A visit by the woeful Athletics came at an ideal time for the Toronto Blue Jays. Canada's lone big-league team was in a tailspin before finding its form last week. Toronto has won five in a row and sat a half-game out of an American League wild-card spot entering Monday's games. The Blue Jays, who were idle Monday, will continue their homestand Tuesday night against the 36-23 Philadelphia Phillies, a team they will play six times over the next fortnight. OFFENCE CLICKING After managing just six runs over a six-game road trip, the Blue Jays kicked off their current homestand by scoring a whopping 39 runs over a four-game sweep of the A's. Addison Barger homered in three straight games over the weekend as Toronto went deep 11 times over the series. The Blue Jays have been getting contributions up and down the lineup of late. Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer and Alejandro Kirk have anchored the top half of the batting order. Barger, Ernie Clement, Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw and Jonatan Clase — all hitting at least .267 — have helped turn the lineup over with timely hitting. However, two of Toronto's big-ticket acquisitions have struggled this season. Andres Gimenez and Anthony Santander, both on the injured list, have sub-.200 averages with OPS marks under .600. BULLISH BULLPEN One of Toronto's most-improved areas is the bullpen, which is ranked ninth in the major leagues with a 3.47 earned-run average. That's down significantly from the bullpen's 4.82 ERA in 2024, the second-worst mark among the 30 teams. With setup man Yimi Garcia on the injured list, Brendon Little (3-0, 1.37), Mason Fluharty (3-1, 3.33), Chad Green (1-1, 3.91) and Yariel Rodriguez (0-0, 2.73) have stepped up in his absence. Closer Jeff Hoffman has earned 13 saves in 16 opportunities. His three blown saves have boosted his ERA to a rather bloated 5.81. SO-SO STARTERS Injuries and middling performances have led to a starting rotation that has been serviceable but capable of much more. Veterans Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt have been steady with the three right-handers posting remarkably similar numbers (all between 3.80-3.90 ERA, 66-70 IP and 65-70 strikeouts). Bowden Francis (2-6, 5.04) has been unable to duplicate his strong second half from 2024, and Max Scherzer has pitched only three innings due to a thumb issue. Scherzer's absence has forced manager John Schneider to turn to spot starters and openers, often for so-called bullpen games. The good news for the Blue Jays is Scherzer is throwing live bullpen sessions now, and Alek Manoah (elbow surgery) could make his season debut this summer. INJURED VARSHO After missing the first few weeks of the season as he built up after shoulder surgery, Daulton Varsho delivered an immediate spark to the lineup when he returned. The Gold Glove centre-fielder provided stellar defence and hit eight homers with 20 RBIs over 24 games before landing back on the injured list. Varsho strained his left hamstring over the weekend while trying to stretch a double into a triple. He's out on a week-to-week basis. Utilityman Davis Schneider was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to fill in. NUMBERS GAME It's early days with almost two-thirds of the season still to go, but the 31-28 Blue Jays appear to be a coin flip to make the post-season. Baseball Prospectus' PECOTA standings peg Toronto's playoff chances at 48.6 per cent, slightly ahead of FanGraphs' projections at 43.1 per cent. Cleveland started the day in the American League's first wild-card spot at 32-26. Toronto was one of five teams within 2 1/2 games of the Guardians. The Blue Jays made the playoffs in three of four years before finishing last in the East Division standings in 2024. Toronto hasn't won a playoff game since 2016. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2025.
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Mets vs. Dodgers prediction: Our best bet for Monday night
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. The Mets just may be playing the best baseball in the National League, which makes it even nicer that we get an extended look at them against the vaunted Dodgers. The defending champs just took two of three against the Yankees (36-22) and play host to the Mets for a West Coast battle. Los Angeles is a -160 favorite on bet365 for Monday's tilt as they send Dustin May to the mound opposite Paul Blackburn, who is making his 2025 debut. Blackburn struggled in his first season with the Mets, starting in just five games with a 5.18 ERA in 2024. May, once a top prospect, has battled through a litany of injuries in his time with the Dodgers, including nearly dying after choking on a piece of lettuce. For those looking to bet on who will win this four-game series, you can do so on DraftKings where the Dodgers are +115, with a tie the most likely outcome at +105. The Mets come in at +280 to win the series. Dustin May looks to stimy the Mets hot offense that mashed the Rockies. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Blackburn had looked solid enough in his rehab assignment, tossing 29 1/3 minor-league innings to a 3.68 ERA, but this is an unfair start to his season when he hasn't pitched in nearly a full year. I suspect that the Mets will have a quick hook for him on Monday night, and they will need their bats to keep them involved. Fangraphs has these two teams rated No. 3 (Dodgers) and No. 5 (Mets), respectively. I'm not overly enthralled with the idea of betting on the Mets with this starter on the hill, as May's peripheral stats show that he has been unlucky this year to have a 4.20 ERA thus far. My MLB betting model projects the score to be 5.10 to 3.96 in favor of the Dodgers. Learn all you need to know about MLB Betting It's a slight edge, but let's back the Dodgers to take Game 1 of this four-game set on Monday night. THE PLAY: Dodgers ML (-160, bet365) Why Trust New York Post Betting Erich Richter is a brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt but he has a black belt in MMA betting. During the football season he's showcased massive profits at The Post in the player prop market the last two seasons. While constantly betting long shots, his return on investment is 30.15 percent since 2022.
