Newest Red Sox OF getting off to a hot start, feels like he's been with team 'forever'

Going into the 2024 season, the Boston Red Sox faced several questions about their outfield. 

One of those questions was about newcomer Tyler O'Neill, whom the Red Sox acquired via trade with the St. Louis Cardinals for right-handers Nick Robertson and Victor Santos during the offseason. 

Only seven games into the new campaign, O'Neill seems to be fitting in well with his new team. 

"The boys here are awesome and it feels like I've been here forever just the way everyone's treated me. I just want to continue that," O'Neill said on the "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast. "Got a lot of good work in spring training, lot of good reps out there, just want to stay right there and take it for 160 games. Whatever happens, happens. The less you think the better."

O'Neill had a breakout season in 2021, slashing .286/.352/.560 with 34 homers and 80 RBI. That same season, he earned his second consecutive Gold Glove award and finished eighth in the National League MVP voting. 

Over the last two years, though, O'Neill has been plagued with injuries. The slugger only played in 168 games combined during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, but it looks like he has the potential to get back into his 2021 form if he remains healthy. 

In six games with the Sox, the righty is slashing .333/.478/.667 with two homers, five walks and only three strikeouts. One of those home runs made history, making him the first player to record a home run in five straight Opening Day games.