Dodgers Rumors: Darren O’Day Update

One name we’ve heard connected to the Los Angeles Dodgers since the offseason began has been Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher.

The rumors continue to swirl linking O’Day to the Dodgers, which makes sense, seeing as the former is widely considered the best relief pitcher on the market and the latter desperately needs to upgrade their bullpen.

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Here’s what we’ve heard recently regarding O’Day making his way to Los Angeles.

Jerry Crasnick sent out this tweet, showing the Dodgers’ intentions on signing O’Day:

Heard today that the #Dodgers are pursuing Darren O’Day “big time.” It was the 2nd person in a week to mention it.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) November 19, 2015

It appears, as expected, the Dodgers are not alone in their pursuit of the submarine right-hander. This, via Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal:

In fact, rival teams involved in the bidding for O’Day believe that the Braves might wind up making him the highest offer.

O’Day, viewed by many as the top reliever on the open market, is seeking a four-year deal between $28 million and $36 million, sources say.

One issue, Rosenthal says, is that the Braves view O’Day as a closer, potentially — a role already cemented on the Dodgers’ staff by Kenley Jansen. If O’Day is the type to get hung up on title and potential role, this could obviously be an issue.

Sure, the Dodgers could simply offer more money, but, as Rosenthal said, the Braves are ready to make the largest offer on the market.

As the Dodgers are in cost-cutting mode, they might balk at signing O’Day, who is turned 33 in October. If the contract he’s looking for would take him to age 37, the Dodgers might again hesitate as one of their goals this winter is to get younger.

By no means am I saying the move won’t happen, just making note of reasons why it might not. I’m definitely pulling for the move to happen, as he would immediately become the best reliever for the Dodgers outside of Jansen.