According to a report from Jon Heyman, the Cubs are one of the teams in the mix for Darren O’Day. The veteran right hander reliever is coming off a very good four-year stretch with the Orioles and is expected to be in high demand this winter. O’Day is the top reliever available on the free agent market.
Darren O’Day was 6-2 in 68 games this past season with six saves, a 1.52 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 2.49 FIP. O’Day has made at least 68 appearances in each of the last four years.
Since landing with Baltimore, O’Day is 23-8 with a 1.92 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 3.08 FIP in 273 games over four seasons.
Jon Heyman reported the Red Sox, Tigers, Nationals, Dodgers and Royals along with the Cubs are in on Darren O’Day. The Mets are another team expected to be in on O’Day this winter.
It is hard to see how Darren O’Day fits in the Cubs’ plans this off-season. O’Day is expected to sign at least a three-year contract, and most think it will take four years to land him. Jon Heyman’s recent estimate has O’Day signing for three years and $25 million.
Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer do not have a history of paying relievers big money on a long-term contract.
Joe Maddon is very familiar with O’Day from seeing him in the AL East for so many years. O’Day’s numbers are excellent, especially against right handed hitters in which he’s held to a .193/.261/.279 slash line with a .540 OPS during his career.
Darren O’Day turned 33 on Oct. 22. and the Cubs were linked to him last off-season in rumored discussion with Baltimore for Welington Castillo.
• Darren O’Day’s Page on Baseball-Reference