Teams looking to shore up the back of their bullpens will have a smaller free agent pool to choose from after Sunday, according to reports.
Free agent relief pitcher Darren O’Day has agreed to a four-year, $31 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, sources confirmed to ESPN. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports was the first to report the deal, which is pending a physical.
O’Day, a submarine-throwing right-hander, was considered one of the best relievers on the free agent market. He’s been excellent over the last four seasons in Baltimore, posting a combined 1.92 ERA and averaging 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The 33-year-old setup man had drawn interest from a number of teams — reportedly including the Boston Red Sox — but the Orioles’ reported move to keep him in Baltimore ensures they’ll have one of MLB’s best bullpens on paper.
O’Day wasn’t the only free agent reliever who reportedly got snatched up Sunday, however. Right-hander Ryan Madson has agreed to a three-year contract with the Oakland Athletics worth $22 million pending a physical, a source told ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick.
The 35-year-old made a huge comeback with the Kansas City Royals in 2015, posting a 2.13 ERA over 68 appearances for the eventual World Series champs after being out of baseball for three full seasons due to Tommy John surgery.
The Red Sox are one of several big league clubs looking to improve their bullpens entering 2016, especially in the setup role. With two of the best available relievers reportedly off the table, though, Dave Dombrowski and Co. will have their work cut out for them.
Thumbnail photo via Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports Images
