Red Sox not ready to say goodbye to pending free agent slugger

The Boston Red Sox are headed into the final series of the 2024 season, as they'll host the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park for three games starting on Friday.

After this AL East showdown, Boston's attention will totally shift to the offseason and building a roster to compete in 2025 and beyond.

One task on their agenda will be deciding which of their own pending free agents to re-sign, extend a qualifying offer to or let walk.

Boston's top player hitting the market this offseason is outfielder/designated hitter Tyler O'Neill, who they acquired in a trade from the St. Louis Cardinals last offseason.

Through injuries, the 29-year-old has appeared in 112 games (second-most in his career), hitting .240 with an .847 OPS, 31 home runs, 61 RBIs and four stolen bases.

The Red Sox appear to have their outfield set for 2025 with Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela all on the roster and Roman Anthony expected to get the call-up potentially as early as Opening Day. So, O'Neill is expected to find a new team for next year, but Boston isn't totally ready to make that call.

According to The Boston Globe's Alex Speier , Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said he's "definitely interested in having some of those conversations" about O'Neill returning to Boston for 2025.

At this point, the only way the two-time gold glove winner would fit in the lineup is if one (or more) of Duran, Abreu, Rafaela or Anthony is traded for pitching or another right-handed bat in the infield.

That's not totally out of the question, but it would require a lot of other parts to move.

MORE RED SOX NEWS

Red Sox CBO assesses team’s ‘disappointing’ season

Red Sox manager offers blunt evaluation of his team after elimination

Alex Cora makes huge statement about extra-innings win

Red Sox getting new jerseys for the 2025 season