MLB Rumors: Yankees-Cardinals trade, Braves World Series reunion, another Reds prospect

MLB Rumors: Yankees-Cardinals trade for Tyler O’Neill could help everyone

The New York Yankees have seemingly been searching for outfield help for quite a while now. Part of that has been the numerous injuries that have plagued the group in the grass, be it with Aaron Judge, Harrison Bader, or others. But the results haven’t been there for the pinstripes so far this season.

Aaron Hicks was a disaster — one that’s frustratingly started to thrive in rival Baltimore — Isiah Kiner-Falefa was a failed experiment, and Willie Calhoun has been inconsistent at best. Billy McKinney has been a pleasant surprise, sure, but it’s overall clear that the Yankees need to explore adding an upgrade and more depth to the outfield group.

That’s something the St. Louis Cardinals can help with.

The wheels have completely fallen off for the Cards and the needle is moving for them to sell at the upcoming MLB Trade Deadline. And while the Yankees could indeed explore the idea of Jack Flaherty or another pitcher to help in that department, it may also make sense to look at Tyler O’Neill, who was specifically connected to New York in a recent report from MLB insider Jon Heyman.

O’Neill has been on the IL with a mysterious back injury since early May but there is finally optimism about his return getting closer. His numbers prior to the IL stint weren’t great, to be sure, slashing just .228/.283/.337 on the year as the Cardinals slipped into obscurity early on. However, he’s just 1.5 years removed from posting a .912 OPS with 34 home runs and 62 extra-base hits over 141 games in 2021.

It’s been clear this season that O’Neill needs a change of scenery and the Yankees could offer that. More importantly, the Cardinals could get what they need in return. New York has nine pitchers among their Top 20 prospects according to MLB Pipeline and, with St. Louis needing to turn the page for the future, they need more arms that can be part of that plan. The Yankees can help with that.

If Brian Cashman believes that O’Neill can help the team in the same way that Harrison Bader, who was also acquired from the Cardinals via trade last year, has when healthy, then it’s a move that both parties could ultimately benefit from in regards to their differing outlooks.