When the Yankees dumped Adam Ottavino earlier in the week, the implication was clear that another move was on the way. A few days later, the Yankees replaced the former Big O with a new Big O. 38-year-old veteran Darren O’Day is the newest Yankee, coming to terms on a one-year, $2.45 million contract.
On the surface, O’Day effectively replaces Ottavino in the Yankees’ bullpen. He’s still a step below the Aroldis Chapman-Zack Britton-Chad Green trio, but he’s a better option than tweeners like Luis Cessa and Jonathan Loáisiga, or any of the unproven rookies. Ottavino was a pitcher heavily reliant on movement and better against righties than lefties.