A quick update on the Darren O’Day front.
The Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers have both expressed strong interest in signing the free-agent right-hander to be their closer, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals have also joined the hunt a source told Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com.
I’m surprised the Dodgers are interested in him as their closer when they already have a solid closer. Must be nice to have a $300 million payroll. Wonder if it backfires on them should they get him, like the Papelbon fiasco in Washington?
Regardless, it looks like the market for O’Day is really beginning to heat up. I see him as the first domino to fall in the reliever market, before the other free agents start latching on with new teams.
I’s love to see the Mets come away with Joakim Soria or Tony Sipp this Winter. We’ll see.
November 21
Free agent reliever Darren O’Day is seeking a four-year deal worth $28-$36 million dollars, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. That comes to about an average annual value of $7-9 million. which puts him on the same salary range as an average MLB closer.
Buster Olney of ESPN, reported that O’Day already has several offers in hand and that the Tigers, Red Sox and Giants are three clubs that have significant interest in the side-armed righty.
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 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.
The Mets struggled all year long to find a bridge to Familia, using ten different relievers in a setup role and never actually settling on one.
Their bullpen was completely exposed in the World Series, blowing three late leads and allowing 24 earned runs, 47 hits and 17 walks in 51.1 innings.
O’Day could be the one free agent reliever on the market that could adequately address a significant deficiency for the Mets.
(Updated 11/21)
