Report: Mets interested in Darren O'Day

Following a shaky performance by their bullpen in the World Series, the New York Mets are already eyeing one of the top right-handed relievers available on the open market this winter.

Darren O'Day, the veteran submariner who earned his first career All-Star appearance this season, has piqued the Mets' interest, according to Marc Carig of Newsday. In a market mostly devoid of reliable, late-inning relievers, O'Day is likely to command a multi-year deal, but the 33-year-old won't be tied to draft-pick compensation.

While he wasn't extended a qualifying offer by the Baltimore Orioles, O'Day enjoyed another superb season in 2015, finishing third among qualified relievers with a 1.52 ERA while managing a 0.93 WHIP and a career-best 31.9 percent strikeout rate in 68 appearances. Over the last four seasons, only six relievers have fashioned a better park-adjusted ERA than O'Day (47 ERA-), who also ranks 19th in the majors with 110 shutdowns over that span.

Throughout his career, however, O'Day hasn't proven all that effective against left-handed hitters, demonstrating the platoon splits common of a submarine-style pitcher.

Although Mets general manager Sandy Alderson added both Tyler Clippard and Addison Reed to his bullpen during the latter stages of the campaign, the Mets' relief corps finished outside the top five in the National League this season in ERA (3.46), home runs per nine innings (0.82), and walk rate (8.9 percent).