{"id":6960,"date":"2024-12-03T01:51:52","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T01:51:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=6960"},"modified":"2024-12-03T01:51:52","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T01:51:52","slug":"breaking-the-red-sox-may-have-unexpected-competition-for-one-of-their-juan-soto-backup-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=6960","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING: The Red Sox may have unexpected competition for one of their Juan Soto backup plans"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Boston Red Sox v New York Yankees | Luke Hales\/GettyImages<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Despite the overcrowding in their outfield and surplus of lefty bats, the Boston Red Sox have extended an offer to star free agent outfielder Juan Soto. Boston remains in the race alongside the three other teams vying for Soto’s services, but it’s hardly considered a “favorite.”<\/p>\n

If the Sox miss out on Soto, they’ll need a righty bat to balance the lineup.\u00a0Tyler O’Neill, the 2024 team’s home run leader,\u00a0could be an ideal fit.<\/p>\n

Some fans and reporters were shocked Nick Pivetta received a qualifying offer from Boston and O’Neill did not. The outfielder is injury-prone, though, and the $21.05 million payday would’ve been a huge risk spent on him. Regardless, O’Neill posted a rebound season in a walk year, and the Red Sox are sure to have some competition if they want him back in their pastures next year.<\/p>\n

Andy McCollough of\u00a0The Athletic\u00a0<\/em>created a Black Friday-themed free agent shopping list\u00a0for every team in MLB and suggested the Pittsburgh Pirates should try and sign O’Neill to bring some power to their outfield.<\/p>\n

The Athletic predicts the Pirates will sign Red Sox’s 2024 home run leader Tyler O’Neill<\/h2>\n
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