Tyler O’Neill is the Cardinals’ only arbitration-eligible player who has yet to reach an agreement for the 2022 season, and Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports (Twitter link) that O’Neill’s arb hearing will take place in the first week of May. However, the possibility exists that the hearing could be avoided, as the two sides are still in talks about a multi-year extension.
It was less than two weeks ago that the Cardinals reached an extension with another outfielder, as Harrison Bader inked a two-year, $10.4MM deal that also allowed both sides to sidestep an arbitration hearing. Bader’s deal covered his final two years of arbitration eligibility, whereas O’Neill is only in the first of three arb-eligible years. It isn’t known whether or not the negotiations are centered around a two- or three-year pact to just address O’Neill’s arbitration years, or if perhaps a longer-term contract could be under discussion.
The Cardinals have been proactive in extending building-block players over the years, and O’Neill’s 2021 breakout makes a good case that he is worth such a long-term extension. O’Neill hit .286/.352/.560 with 34 home runs over 537 plate appearances last season, translating to a whopping 144 wRC+ and 150 OPS+. Between that offensive pop, plus baserunning (O’Neill stole 15 bases in 19 attempts), and his second consecutive Gold Glove in left field, O’Neill was somewhat quietly one of baseball’s best all-around players, and only 12 players topped O’Neill’s 5.4 fWAR in 2021.
This big season didn’t exactly come out of nowhere, as O’Neill was a top-100 ranked prospect. However, he had hit a far more modest .229/.291/.422 in 450 big league PA prior to the 2021 season, and strikeouts have been a continual problem for the Canadian slugger. O’Neill posted a 31.3% strikeout rate in 2021, putting him in the fourth percentile of all players according to Statcast.
With this in mind, St. Louis could opt to just explore a shorter-term extension for now, in order to gain cost certainty over at least one more of O’Neill’s arbitration years but still coming short of a lengthy commitment. As noted, this is only O’Neill’s first trip through the arb process, and since he isn’t scheduled to hit free agency until after the 2024 season, the Cardinals may not feel an immediate rush to work out a big extension. O’Neill is looking for a $4.15MM salary in 2022, while the team submitted a $3.4MM figure. (MLBTR’s Matt Swartz projected O’Neill to land $3.5MM.)
Let’s go, give him an extension.
Why don’t the Cardinals do the right thing here & just gift this guy to the Yankees? I mean we’re not proud… anymore. Ahahahaha!
One word: Jay Buhner
But then you could come back with: Tino Martinez
-Mariner fan
Spot on, like the perverts say “gettem’ while their young”. I hope this is a new trend we’ll see. Stop signing these older players at 5, 6 or 7 years when they stroke out.
Add the the long list of: former Mariner
The Cards have provided half the teams in the league with a pitching staff and yet can barely cobble together a decent rotation.
Yeah, that trade was Tyler O’Neill for Marco Gonzales straight up though. They’ve put up 7.3 WAR vs 9.7 since respectively. It wasn’t a lopsided trade at all.
I would say that about the rotation. I’d say better than most. Sit back and enjoy the ride son!
Big baseball fan…never heard of this guy
Just not a fan of the Cardinals. Right??
He’s won the Gold Glove for outfield the past two seasons….
Dude hit 34 bombs last year, plays tremendous defense, and has a beautifully short swing. Has come so far on pitch selection. You should definitely watch him when you can. He’s so fun to watch.
Not a very good fan if you haven’t heard of him. In fact don’t even call yourself a causal fan.
Serious question: for players who haven’t settled their arbitration cases so far, what are they making right now? Obviously they aren’t playing for free so maybe it’s the prorated minimum or something, but I’m surprised they’re even playing at all because an injury could change all of that.
Im surprised as well. What happens if a player in their last year of arbitration eligibility suffers a season ending injury?
Pay him!
Five years, $75m right now. That buys out this year and his other two arb years, plus two more for that money, all guaranteed with an AAV of $15m/year.
I like that deal. Do you think Mr Muscles would?
I think it’s a solid deal for everyone. Given that he’s fairly brittle, everybody is waiting for a major injury, but I think it’s worth the risk. And he has to know that his semi-fragility affects his market value, so it’s a smart deal for him. Plus, he’ll be 31 when that deal is done, so he could very well have another payday.
Go Cards!
When the suspension for PED use is handed down they won’t have to pay him.
Worst. Comment. Ever.
Ignoramus
Wonder how he got around the testing? People sometimes are just ignorant.
Given his dad was Mr. Canada, a combination of genetics and hard work answers the question of how his body looks like it does.
Exactly
5 tool beast when he gets going.. elite speed ..garnered mvp votes last year… hit some of the longest bombs last year …. “To the trees!” -as described by Rick Ankiel
Pay em’! Fast!