St. Louis Cardinals Should Flip Tyler O’Neill for Offense

In a year where St. Louis Cardinals fans enjoy two Rawlings Gold Glovers on staff, both could be gone before the 2021 campaign begins. Tyler O’Neill could leave via trade as Kolten Wong tests the free agent waters.

The only thing shocking about the St. Louis Cardinals having two Gold Glove winners on the club is that Tyler O’Neill was one of those players.

O’Neill has often been known for his prowess at the plate. But in 2020, per FanGraphs, O’Neill had 139 ABs in which he earned 24 hits, 7 homers, 19 RBI, and a whopping 43 strikeouts. It got to a point this season that you were just hoping for better discipline at the plate.

But with all those muscles, it’s just too much to hope that he does not go full on swing happy.

The real bright spot this year for O’Neill was his glove.

While I remember a few blunders in the outfield, O’Neill’s fielding stats do not lie. Per FanGraphs, in 48 games played in left field, O’Neill had zero – I repeat zero – fielding errors. I know. I’m shocked as well.  

What’s even more impressive to see from O’Neill is that he lead National League left fielders with 9 defensive runs saved (DRS).

That’s right. Tyler O’Neill had more defensive runs saved in 2020 than he did home runs. The two stats don’t correlate one bit. But it is interesting to note that someone you expect to consistently mash at the plate actually had a much better season in the field.

With a Cardinal fanbase clamoring for more offense and wins, it’s hard to see O’Neill’s fit. Do they want to keep that glove in left field and hope for his continued success in the corner outfield slot? Do they hope that 2020 was a fluke at the plate and he goes on an offensive tear? There were some positive signs from O’Neill’s deeper stats.

Or will they flip O’Neill for one of the many needs the team has this offseason?

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I think it is time for the team to gamble on that streaky hitter with an impressive season in left field in O’Neill and flip it for either improved pitching, an actual offensive threat at the plate, or a third baseman.

I imagine John Mozeliak has to be fielding some offers at this week’s Winter Zoom Meetings.

It’s still early in the offseason and teams seem to be waiting closer and closer to Spring Training to make their moves. Interesting to note, another appealing feature to O’Neill, he will be arbitration-eligible in 2022 and a free agent in 2025.

With some team control still in the bag, O’Neill will be an impressive fielder and possible resurgent bat for some team willing to take that shot if he doesn’t stick around here.