The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently in the market to add at least one reliever this offseason, as the last two years it has been difficult to bridge the gap from their starting pitcher to closer Kenley Jansen.
Among the Dodgers’ reported bullpen targets this offseason, former Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Darren O’Day is at the top of the list.
While the Dodgers have been one of multiple teams pursuing O’Day, the Orioles entered the picture recently after reportedly submitting a competitive bid to re-sign the submarine thrower.
The Washington Nationals at one point were said to be in the driver’s seat to sign O’Day. According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, the Dodgers may be at a disadvantage as O’Day would prefer to remain on the East Coast:
#Nationals, #Dodgers, #Braves still pursuing O'Day. Told his preference is to stay on the East Coast.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 3, 2015
It should be noted O’Day’s wife works for a television network in Washington D.C. Where the Dodgers may remain competitive is with their financial power. As the top free-agent relief pitcher available, O’Day is in position to sign a lucrative deal:
Expectation in the industry is that Darren O'Day lands a 4-yr deal at slightly under Andrew Miller money. Maybe $32-34M.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 3, 2015
Although the Dodgers may have the spending power to sign O’Day, team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman typically shies away from luring a reliever with a large contract.
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.
Over O’Day’s career, only his rookie season (2008) and 2011 were years that his ERA was north of 2.30. In 443.2 career innings he has a 2.31 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 3.36 FIP.
