Orioles Must Decide Whether Tyler O’Neill Still Fits Their Future

The Baltimore Orioles signed Tyler O’Neill to a three-year, $49.5 million contract before the 2025 season hoping they were adding a middle-of-the-order power bat who could help push the club deeper into October. Instead, two seasons into the deal, O’Neill has become one of the most disappointing contracts on the roster.

With the Orioles trying to climb back into the American League playoff race, the question is no longer whether O’Neill has struggled. The question is whether Baltimore can justify continuing to give him roster space and at-bats.

The Production Simply Isn’t There

O’Neill’s first season in Baltimore was largely ruined by injuries. He appeared in only 54 games in 2025 and hit just .199 with nine home runs and a .684 OPS. Multiple trips to the injured list prevented him from ever finding consistency.

Unfortunately, 2026 has somehow been even worse.

Entering early June, O’Neill is hitting around .160 with only two home runs and an OPS hovering near .500 while spending time on the injured list again. Several statistical services show nearly identical numbers, all of which rank among the worst offensive performances in Major League Baseball.

The power that made him attractive in the first place has largely disappeared.

During his peak seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and later with the Boston Red Sox, O’Neill could change a game with one swing. He hit 34 home runs in 2021 and 31 more in 2024. Baltimore believed that version of O’Neill still existed.

Instead, the Orioles have received very little offensive impact for nearly two years.

What Are The Orioles’ Options?

Option 1: Keep Playing Him

This is the least attractive option.

The Orioles are trying to compete now. Every at-bat given to a struggling veteran is an at-bat not given to a younger player who could contribute long-term.

At some point, a player has to produce.

The organization has already shown patience. O’Neill received opportunities throughout 2025. He entered 2026 healthy enough to make the roster. The results still have not arrived.

Continuing to run him out there simply because of his salary would be a mistake.

Option 2: Reduce Him To A Bench Role

This may be the most realistic short-term solution.

O’Neill still offers some value as:

• Right-handed power off the bench
• Late-game defensive replacement
• Spot starter against certain left-handed pitchers
• Veteran clubhouse presence

A limited role could reduce the pressure and allow the Orioles to see if he can rediscover some of the power that made him successful.

The problem is that carrying a $16.5 million bench player is far from ideal.

Option 3: Attempt A Trade

In theory, this sounds appealing.

In reality, it is extremely difficult.

Who is trading for a 30-year-old outfielder making $16.5 million annually through 2027 while hitting around .160?

The Orioles would almost certainly have to:

• Eat most of the remaining salary
• Attach a prospect
• Accept little in return

That is a tough pill to swallow.

A trade cannot be completely ruled out because every team values players differently, but Baltimore would have very little leverage.

Option 4: DFA Him

This is the option many frustrated fans are discussing.

Designating O’Neill for assignment would effectively mean admitting the signing failed.

However, there is a strong argument that he would clear waivers.

Most clubs are not eager to take on more than $30 million in remaining salary for a player producing at this level. O’Neill still has approximately $33 million remaining on his deal after opting into the final two years of his contract.

If he cleared waivers, Baltimore could outright release him and remain responsible for the contract.

The financial cost would be painful.

The baseball cost might not be.

The Roster Crunch Matters

The biggest factor working against O’Neill is not simply his performance.

It is who is behind him.

The Orioles continue to have young outfield options pushing for playing time. Players such as Colton Cowser, Dylan Beavers, and other younger pieces represent part of the club’s future. Baltimore has invested years developing young talent. Blocking those players for a struggling veteran makes less sense every week.

The Orioles have already watched Jordan Westburg go down for the season, creating additional pressure on the offense. They need productive hitters in the lineup, not reclamation projects.

Is There Any Reason For Hope?

Yes.

Power is the reason.

O’Neill has always been streaky.

A player with more than 120 career home runs does not completely lose his ability overnight. Even now, scouts would point to his bat speed, strength, and athleticism as reasons to believe there is still something left in the tank.

The challenge is determining how long you wait.

If the Orioles were rebuilding, there would be no urgency.

But Baltimore is trying to win games now.

A contender cannot afford to carry dead spots in the lineup indefinitely.

The Verdict

At this point, Tyler O’Neill should not be an everyday player for the Orioles.

The production has not justified the opportunity, and the club has younger options deserving of regular at-bats.

A DFA today would probably be premature because the Orioles still owe him significant money and because there remains at least some chance of a rebound. However, a reduced role makes complete sense.

If O’Neill continues hitting near .160 through June and July, the conversation changes dramatically.

By the trade deadline, Baltimore may have to make a difficult decision: either eat the money and move on or continue hoping for a turnaround that may never come.

Right now, the Orioles are paying for the player Tyler O’Neill used to be.

The problem is that the player currently on the field looks nothing like the one who hit 31 home runs in Boston or 34 in St. Louis.

And for a team with postseason aspirations, sentimentality cannot outweigh production.