The Los Angeles Dodgers spent Tuesday formally introducing manager Dave Roberts in a press conference attended by Dodgers legends Tommy Lasorda and Don Newcombe, among others.
With their managerial vacancy filled, the Dodgers’ focus can now fully shift to addressing roster matters.
In need of starting pitching, the Dodgers are said to have Zack Greinke as their top priority this winter. Dodgers part owner Magic Johnson reiterated that sentiment at Tuesday’s press conference.
The Dodgers are also looking to upgrade a bullpen that’s been inconsistent and an Achilles heel over the last two seasons.
One free-agent option Los Angeles has on their radar is Darren O’Day. Viewed by many as the top reliever available on the market, O’Day reportedly is seeking a four-year contract.
Along with the Dodgers, whose interest and pursuit of the right-hander is believed to be strong, the Washington Nationals were identified as a top candidate to sign O’Day.
According to The Baltimore Sun’s Dan Connolly, the Baltimore Orioles are now part of the picture for O’Day after submitting an offer:
Free-agent reliever Darren O’Day appears to be narrowing his list of potential landing places for 2016 and Baltimore has re-entered the conversation. According to an industry source, the Orioles recently made a formal offer to the 33-year-old right-hander that has been deemed “competitive” compared to some offers he already has in hand. Although negotiations have been ongoing, it’s believed to be the first formal offer the Orioles have made to O’Day since the season ended.
O’Day is expected to soon make a decision, with the Dodgers among the teams still under consideration:
The Orioles might not be considered the front-runners, but appear to be in the final conversation, along with the Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers and others.
O’Day appeared in 68 games for the Orioles last season, with 82 strikeouts and 14 walks in 65.1 innings.
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.
If he indeed is looking to sign a four-year contract, that may be a hurdle for the Dodgers given team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman’s philosophy against doling out long-term contracts to relievers.
