There’s a new pitcher in the Bronx, and he throws sidearm. According to Lindsey Adler of The Athletic, the Bronx Bombers have agreed to terms with 38-year-old reliever Darren O’Day.
It was expected that the Yanks would try to add bullpen help, particularly after trading Adam Ottavino to the Boston Red Sox on Monday.
A Good O’Day for the Yankees
O’Day has quietly been one of the better relievers in baseball, posting an ERA of 2.51 since his 2008 debut. He battled various injuries in 2018 and 2019, but had a terrific season in 2020.
With the Atlanta Braves, O’Day recorded a 1.10 ERA during the shortened campaign. He struck out 22 batters in 16 and 1/3 innings, and walked just 5.
He is probably best known for his tenure with the Baltimore Orioles, where he was one of the team’s most prominent relievers from 2012-2018. The submariner was absolutely dominant from 2012-2015, posting an ERA of 1.92 across 263 innings. Along with Kevin Gausman, he was traded to the Braves in July of 2018.
It appears that O’Day will be called upon to fill Ottavino’s role. According to Andrew Simon, he has the 5th-lowest OPS (among active pitchers) allowed to right-handed hitters. Ottavino was also known as a righty specialist, with his devastating slider that sweeps away from right-handed batters.
Fun with Finances
Jon Heyman reports that it will be a 1-year deal, worth $2.5 million. In addition, Joel Sherman reports that there is a player option for the 2022 season. This contradicts Heyman’s report of a dual option, and Sherman says that O’Day would make $1.4 million if he decides to stay with the team following the 2021 campaign.
Spotrac reports that the Yankees currently have just over $10.7 million in space under the luxury tax. By these numbers, the signing of O’Day leaves the team with approximately $8.2 million left to spend. Theoretically, the Yankees still have room to sign Brett Gardner (which has long been assumed), and add another relief option.
O’Day joins the back end of a bullpen that already includes Aroldis Chapman, and Zack Britton, two of the best late-inning options in the game. Along with Chad Green, O’Day will be a valuable option in the mid-to-late stages of games.
According to Baseball Savant, O’Day has allowed an xBA of just .194, to go along with a strikeout rate of 31.5% (nearly 10% above league average). Last season, he allowed an average exit velocity of just 83.9 mph and a barrel rate of only 2.7%.
For fun, here’s a video of O’Day striking guys out with his funky delivery:
While the Yankees are still likely not finished in free agency, the pickup of O’Day could prove to be extremely valuable in the 2021 season.