3 Braves trade targets from bottoming-out Cardinals and 2 to avoid

Braves Rumors: Trade to avoid with Cardinals – Tyler O’Neill, OF

Early in the season, even before things started to turn truly sour for the Cardinals, there was buzz that outfielder Tyler O’Neill could be on the trade block at the deadline.

The 27-year-old O’Neill still has the 2024 season under club control. Having said that, he has fallen out of favor with Oli Marmol and others in the organization, it seemed, while also being part of a crowded position group in the Cardinals system. Thus, a player who hit .286 with a .912 OPS just two years ago would seemingly be a phenomenal trade chip for St. Louis to dangle out there.

It’s since become a much more complicated situation with O’Neill, though. He went on the IL with a back injury in early May. While it was only supposed to be roughly a 10-day stint, he has not returned to the lineup as an issue with his back has been problematic and slow to recover from.

That injury is obviously part of the reason that the Braves shouldn’t bite, even if O’Neill does return to the lineup soon. But what’s more important for Atlanta is that O’Neill simply hasn’t produced in any other season like he did in 2021. He hit just .228 with a .700 OPS last season and then only .228 with a .620 OPS in 29 games this year.

For a player who has been dealing with injuries and who’s perhaps biggest value on the field is tied to what he hasn’t done in 1.5 seasons, even if the Braves look to upgrade the outfield depth, O’Neill is too risky of an option for the club to consider at the trade deadline.