Inside The Red Sox

Red Sox Star Predicted To Cut Ties With Boston For Projected $45M Deal With Astros

Could the Red Sox star join the Astros this winter?

Patrick McAvoy

Apr 9, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of Houston Astros second base Jose Altuve (27) hat on the field during batting practice prior to a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Apr 9, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of Houston Astros second base Jose Altuve (27) hat on the field during batting practice prior to a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images / Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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he Boston Red Sox certainly could lose a key piece this winter.

Boston’s offense got a major boost in 2024 thanks to a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals for slugger Tyler O’Neill. He has dealt with plenty of injuries throughout his career and missed some time in 2024, but he had one of the best seasons of his career.

O’Neill appeared in 113 games for Boston and clubbed 31 home runs and drove in 61 runs. There are going to be plenty of teams looking for right-handed help in the middle of the lineup this winter, including Boston.

He will be highly sought-after and The Athletic’s Tim Britton, Chad Jennings, and Aaron Gleeman predicted he will end up signing a three-year, $45 million deal with a club. FanSided’s Jacob Mountz predicted that the club will end up being the Houston Astros.

“The Astros are at a crossroads,” Mountz said. “Either they make a splash or they let their dynasty crumble. Justin Verlander, Yusei Kikuchi, and Alex Bregman are among the top Astros on the free agent market this offseason. The 2026 season will bite even deeper with Framber Valdez, Kyle Tucker, and Jose Urquidy set to hit the market.

“In 2024, the Astros were the third-highest-spending team. With Jose Altuve, Josh Hader, and Yordan Alvarez locked up for the foreseeable future, it would be reasonable to expect the Astros will aggressively target some inexpensive help, especially if they want to extend Valdez or Tucker and maybe resign Bregman. Enter Tyler O’Neill…In 2024, O’Neill slashed .241/.336/.511/.847 with 31 home runs. If he can stay healthy, he might top 40 home runs a season. With O’Neill’s power potential in the lineup hitting behind Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuve, the Astros would have a chance to regain their dynastic performance.”

Could the Red Sox actually end up losing O’Neill to the Astros?

More MLB: Yankees All-Star Slugger Urged To Cut Ties With N.Y. To Join Red Sox

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Patrick McAvoy
PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After quickly rising as one of the most productive writers on the site, he expanded his reach to write for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site in Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu

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