Red Sox go bargain shopping by acquiring injury plagued outfielder Tyler O’Neill from the Cardinals just two years after he finished eighth in the NL MVP voting

The Boston Red Sox are apparently shopping for bargains to keep up with the rival New York Yankees’ blockbuster deal for Juan Soto.

The Red Sox acquired outfielder Tyler O’Neill from the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, making the two-time Gold Glove winner replace the departing Alex Verdugo, who was recently traded to the Bronx.

In return, St. Louis received right-handers Nick Robertson and Victor Santos.

O’Neal finished eighth in National League MVP voting in 2021, batting .286 with 34 homers and 80 RBIs. But he hasn’t come close to that mark since (or before) with a .248 batting average and 78 homers in his six-year career.

O’Neal is in the final stages of his arbitration eligibility and could become a free agent after the 2024 season. His salary is projected to be $5.5 million.

O’Neal finished eighth in National League MVP voting in 2021, batting .286 with 34 homers.

O’Neill, an outfielder, won two Gold Gloves while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Robertson appeared in 18 games for the Red Sox and Dodgers last season with a 0-1 record and 6.04 ERA. Santos, who missed all of 2023 with a right elbow injury, has a 23-48 record and 5.21 ERA in seven seasons with the Tigers, Rockies, Rangers, Brewers, Pirates, Reds. and the Orioles. The Cardinals said he would be relegated to the minor leagues.

“As we look to add pitching depth while also addressing potential playing time issues in the outfield, we believe this transaction works well to address both of those issues,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said in a statement. .

“We are very excited to add Nick to our bullpen and we feel Victor gives us additional depth in our minor league system.”

On Tuesday, Boston traded Verdugo to the Yankees for right-handers Greg Weissert, Richard Fitts and Nicholas Giudice.