Following the out-of-the-blue Adam Ottavino trade, the New York Yankees have reportedly agreed to a deal with reliever Darren O’Day, according to Lindsey Adler of The Athletic
Sources: Yankees in agreement on a deal with relief pitcher Darren O'Day, pending physical.
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) January 27, 2021
O’Day receives $1.75M in 2021 There is a $1.4M player option for 2022 or a $700G buyout. If O’Day declines the option, the Yankees have a $3.15M option.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 27, 2021
While he isn’t an elite reliever, he fills a hole left by Otto. At a mere $2.45 million ($1.75 million plus $700K buyout) AAV towards the luxury tax, the Yankees get a solid reliever for very cheap. The Yankees signing a reliever was expected, and O’Day is a great fit for their bullpen. He’s a veteran arm who adds a different look to the bullpen and has been sneaky good as well.
Yankees Pick Up an Underrated Arm
O’Day is known as a submarine arm, and Yankees fans will remember him from the Orioles. Since 2018, he’s been sneaky good — with a 2.38 ERA, 3.01 FIP, 3.74 xFIP, and 2.84 SIERA since 2018.
He’s been someone who also keeps the ball in the ballpark, with a mere 0.86 HR/9, something that should help him at Yankee Stadium. The big difference between him and Ottavino is that unlike Otto, O’Day doesn’t have the painfully annoying base-on-balls problem. At a 5.8% BB%, he’s been a reliever who keeps the ball in the strike zone. He also struck out 32.2% of all batters he’s faced from 2018-2020. He’s what you want in a reliever.
Darren O’Day Ages Like Fine Wine
Despite the fact that O’Day is 38, he’s been as effective as ever recently.
While he isn’t a power arm like Chad Green or Aroldis Chapman, he is a funky reliever who gets the job done.
At $2.5 million, the New York Yankees are getting a good bargain. O’Day has a lot of experience and will replace Ottavino at 1/4th of the cost. January has been the month of Brian Cashman, as he’s just rolling out move after move, and reminding us why he’s referred to as Cashgod.
