With the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings set to begin on Monday, activity in free agency and on the trade market is expected to ramp up.
To date, David Price’s seven-year, $217 million contract with the Boston Red Sox remains the most significant signing.
Zack Greinke’s free agency is now dominating headlines among a free agency class that’s deep with starting pitchers.
As for relievers, Darren O’Day is the premier option available and someone the Los Angeles Dodgers have been in pursuit of as they look to upgrade an inconsistent bullpen.
Amid a previous report O’Day preferred to sign with a team on the East Coast, the Dodgers no longer appear to be under consideration and the right-hander is nearing a decision, per Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun:
Hearing O'Day sweepstakes down to #Orioles #Nationals #Braves. Nearing finish line. Decision could come b4 winter meetings. Def by end of WM
— Dan Connolly (@danconnollysun) December 4, 2015
According to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com, while the Dodgers are capable of offering the most money to O’Day, the Washington Nationals are the perceived favorite:
Should add "some" folks with #orioles
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) December 4, 2015
O’Day had the best season of his eight-year career in 2015 with the Orioles as he threw 65.1 innings yielding a 1.52 ERA and striking out 82 while walking 14. He also had a 0.93 WHIP and career-best 2.49 FIP to go along with making his first All-Star team.
Opponents hit a combined .198/.257/.283 with five home runs and five doubles in 257 plate appearances last season.
His 1.52 ERA marked the second consecutive season in which he finished with a sub-2.00 ERA. Since joining Baltimore in 2012, O’Day is 23-8 with a 1.92 ERA, 2.49 FIP, 3.05 xFIP, 0.94 WHIP, 12 saves and 65 games finished in 273 appearances.
