Darren O’Day
Position: Reliever
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Born: October 22, 1982 (Age 33)
With Tyler Clippard filing for free agency, the only sure bet in the Mets bullpen for now is Jeurys Familia. RHP Addison Reed is arbitration eligible and looking for a raise that could approach $6 million, which the Mets might be hesitant to take on, but let’s assume they do.
After Familia and Reed, the bullpen is very weak and short on experience and consistency. The pieces of a good ‘pen are there, but those pieces are mostly unproven. Hansel Robles, Sean Gilmartin, Erik Goeddel, and Logan Verrett all showed some promise this year, but they each had frequent bouts of ineffectiveness this season, particularly late in the season and into the postseason.
Darren O’Day is one free agent the Mets should absolutely consider signing this Winter. Pitching the last four seasons in hitter-friendly Camden Yards, the former Met side-armer has fared extremely well as the Orioles’ primary 8th-inning man, becoming one of the best setup relievers in the game.
Over the last four seasons, O’Day has gone 23-8 with a 1.92 ERA, 214 ERA+ and 0.939 WHIP. In 263.0 innings pitched, he has struck out 283 batters for a 9.7 strikeout rate, while posting a 2.1 walk rate and a 4.56 BB/SO ratio.
This past season was his best season yet, as O’Day went 6-2 with a sublime 1.52 ERA, striking out 82 batters in 65.1 innings, while walking only 14 and allowing just five home runs. He also picked up six saves.
O’Day is 33 years old which might make some teams balk at signing him to a multi-year deal, but the fact of the matter is that he is probably the most effective reliever on the free agent market.
The Mets spent nearly the entire 2015 season trying to find a bridge to Familia and it never really happened. Whether or not Sandy and Co. want to invest $7-8 million a year into an 8th inning reliever is unknown, but if they have the dollars to spend, O’Day gives the team a very reliable and effective reliever who would give the Mets a lethal 1-2 punch with Familia late in games.
Contract – He will likely fetch a three-year contract valued between $22-24 million. The Dodgers, Nationals, Red Sox and Tigers are among the teams who have already shown early interest. The Orioles did not make him a qualifying offer.
