How new signees O'Neill, Sánchez fit into O's roster plans

DALLAS -- As the Orioles negotiated with a pair of right-handed-hitting free agents -- outfielder Tyler O'Neill and catcher Gary Sánchez -- general manager Mike Elias had a new piece of information to offer in his sales pitch.

Last month, the O’s announced they were pulling in the left-field wall at Camden Yards, with Elias stating they wanted a “happier medium” between the ballpark’s original dimensions and the pushed-back wall from 2022-24. He relayed this info to O’Neill and Sánchez.

“I was careful to show them the renderings of the new dimensions,” Elias said. “I think if you're a right-handed power hitter, that's probably something you want to see. People like their hits going over the wall. It was definitely a part of the conversation as we were recruiting both guys.”

O’Neill and Sánchez must have liked what they saw, because both signed deals with the Orioles that were finalized Tuesday, the second day of the 2024 Winter Meetings in Dallas. O’Neill signed a three-year, $49.5 million contract (which includes a player opt-out after '25), while Sánchez inked a one-year, $8.5 million deal.

Let’s break down how Baltimore’s newest players fit in with its 2025 roster.

O’Neill: Near-everyday outfielder, part of the DH rotation

What he brings: O’Neill has tremendous power, as the 29-year-old showed during his lone season with the Red Sox in 2024. He slugged 31 home runs, three shy of the career-high 34 he hit during his breakout '21 campaign for the Cardinals.

A two-time Gold Glove winner, O’Neill can play both corner-outfield spots and factor into the rotation at designated hitter. He could also fill in at center in a pinch.

“He's a good defender,” Elias said. “He’s really good in both corners. He's a guy that can run a little bit here and there. He's still very young. He's 29 years old, and I think this was a very good roster fit and something that we were lacking.”

When he’ll play: Last season, O’Neill was much better against left-handed pitching (1.180 OPS, 16 homers in 156 plate appearances) than righties (.693 OPS, 15 homers in 317 plate appearances), though his career splits are less extreme (.751 OPS vs. RHP, .923 OPS vs. LHP). So he won’t strictly be a platoon player.

At the same time, Elias doesn’t envision O’Neill playing 162 games, although he doesn’t expect that from anybody on his roster. O’Neill, who has been hampered by injuries in the past, will get sporadic days off, most likely to come when the O’s face a tough right-handed starter.

“We’ll take good care of him,” Elias said.

How this impacts others: Elias believes Heston Kjerstad has a “really good opportunity” to become an impactful big leaguer in 2025, and the GM said he had the 25-year-old former top prospect in mind when signing O’Neill.

There will be plenty of playing time for a fourth outfielder, as the lefty-hitting Kjerstad can play either corner and get DH at-bats in good matchups.

“We’re not going to have to overexpose [Kjerstad],” Elias said. “If there’s a tough lefty that day -- whether it’s him or Cedric [Mullins] or Colton [Cowser], we can give somebody a break.”

It’s become less likely that Baltimore brings back Anthony Santander (poised for a big payday in free agency), but the club could still add to its outfield mix.

“We're going to keep in touch with the market and see where it all falls,” Elias said. “But obviously, [O’Neill] is a really big piece.”

Sánchez: New backup catcher

What he brings: Although Sánchez’s numbers haven’t been as strong in recent seasons as they were early in his 10-year MLB career, the 32-year-old still provides right-handed pop. He had 11 homers in 280 plate appearances for the Brewers last season after belting 19 over 260 plate appearances for the Padres the year prior.

Sánchez can serve as a veteran leader, and Elias cited the benefit of having a Spanish-speaking catcher who can communicate easily with Spanish-speaking pitchers, also praising the Dominican Republic native’s work behind the plate.

“His defense has been improving continuously, especially in the last few years as he matures into a veteran catcher,” Elias said. “He's just getting to be a smarter, savvier player. He's got a lot of arm strength still, which I think is going to be really nice from that position. And we heard really good things about the way he was working with the pitching staffs.”

When he’ll play: Whenever there’s a day off for All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman, who has started 287 games behind the plate for the Orioles over his first three MLB seasons (84 in 2022, 104 in '23 and 99 in '24).

“I think looking back is a good indicator of what we like for him going forward,” Elias said.

If Sánchez’s bat gets hot at any point, he could also get starts as a right-handed DH at times.

How this impacts others: James McCann’s time in Baltimore is almost assuredly over after two seasons, as the 34-year-old will likely sign elsewhere in free agency. Meanwhile, Sánchez will be a stopgap until 20-year-old Samuel Basallo (O’s No. 2 prospect, No. 13 overall) is ready for the big leagues.