O'Neill explains why he signed with Orioles, Eflin and Sugano report to camp, McDermott sidelined with lat injury

SARASOTA, Fla. – The decision to sign with the Orioles came easily to outfielder Tyler O’Neill. It wasn’t just the money, though the idea of being paid $49.5 million over three seasons with an opt-out clause after the first year enticed him.

“It was always chasing Baltimore last year,” he said.

O’Neill caught them via contract negotiations.

He spent last summer with the Red Sox after six with the Cardinals, enabling him to form his opinion of the Orioles.

“Playing in the AL East, I’m familiar with the division,” he said. "Baltimore’s the team to beat. Obviously, when they have interest in me early in the offseason, I was really excited about that. Just really excited to join these guys and get going.

“Just starting to learn my teammates and understand my surroundings and getting to know the staff and everybody has been a good process so far, so just gonna keep that going and see what we can do together.”

O’Neill said the decision to move in the left field wall was part of the team’s sales pitch to him and it factored into his commitment to them.

“Big-time, definitely,” he said. “It was definitely an extreme version of what it should be the past (three) years, and it’s just tough for a guy like me, a player profile like me, to consider producing there for 81 games with the way the fence dimensions were. It was very appealing that they moved those walls in to a more fair dynamic and look forward to seeing what kind of damage we can do out there.”

Knowing that players want to come to Baltimore is another indication that the rebuild is long over and a tarnished reputation is polished. Starter Charlie Morton, at age 41, wanted to spend his 18^th major league season with the Orioles and chase another ring. Tomoyuki Sugano left Tokyo to pitch for them.

“That’s what championship teams have is a blend and a mix of guys that … a lot of guys that are in it for one reason and one goal, and that’s to win, and Charlie’s got the experience of it and has been on a lot of good teams and he knows what it feels like to be on the field at the end,” said manager Brandon Hyde.

“Get as many guys as we can to have that mentality, that’s what you’re looking for.”

* Zach Eflin is in camp today after staying back to be with his wife following the birth of their son Hayden. The couple already has a daughter nearing 3 ½ years old and twin girls who are 2 ½.

“It’s been a little crazy,” he said, smiling. “I went from being a full-time baseball player to running a daycare, it feels like, but we had such a great offseason and the girls are getting so big. And obviously, (wife) Lauren being pregnant the whole time until a couple days ago. But it was a great offseason and happy I’m here and hopefully I get to see my family soon, in a week or two.”

Eflin described the emotions of welcoming his son into the world and leaving his family behind, the tugging of heartstrings moving him in every direction.

“You kind of experience pure happiness and pure sadness at the same time,” he said. “I just had my little man two days ago and then had to say goodbye to him last night at like 9 o'clock and not knowing when I’m going to see him next. It won’t be too long but my wife is still at home with four under 3 ½, pretty much alone, so it’s not a great feeling. But we’ll make it work.

“We have some part-time help. My mother-in-law lives right down the street, which is huge, but Lauren is amazing, so she’ll figure out a way.”

Eflin is getting ready for a 10^th major league season and with two new starters joining him.

“I think it’s awesome,” he said. “I think we’re all in the position, if we stay healthy, to have a really good season, push each other, pitch deep into October and really get closer and closer as we go throughout the season.

“I think if everybody shows up prepared and ready to do the job and pitch every fifth day, I think anything can happen, for sure.”

* Sugano also has reported to camp and will meet with the media this afternoon. He was on the field for workouts.

The Japanese contingent grew noticeably this morning, a sure sign that Sugano was in Sarasota.

“It’s great to see him,” Hyde said. “I just met him in person about an hour ago. Long trip. He looks great. I know he’s really anxious to get out there. He’s gonna play some catch just to get his feet under him because he’s been traveling, but it’s great to see him. We welcome him with open arms.”

Sugano spoke to his new teammates via his interpreter and said, “let’s go win a world championship.”

“He’s all about winning, and that was clear in the two Zooms that we had with him this offseason,” Hyde said. “He’s coming over here to win and it’s a great mentality and we love the mindset that he has.”

* Chayce McDermott, a long shot to make the rotation after one major league start last summer, reported to camp with a mild lat/teres strain. Hyde said McDermott could begin a throwing progression in 10-14 days.

“His last bullpen, live BP before he got here, he felt a little soreness, so he reported it, got him checked out,” Hyde said.

“It’s gonna be a while before you see him on the mound.”

MLB Pipeline ranks McDermott as the No. 5 prospect in the organization.

Trevor Rogers is sidelined with a dislocated right kneecap, which eliminates his chances of making the Opening Day roster.

* The Orioles will stretch out Albert Suárez to start, but can move him to the bullpen.