Nationals reportedly looking at Darren O'Day to help bullpen

The Nationals may not have to look far to solve some of their bullpen issues this winter. Darren O'Day is widely considered the best free agent reliever available after making his first All-Star team with the Orioles in 2015. ESPN.com reports the Nats and Dodgers are chasing O'Day harder than any other ballclubs, though the Braves, Tigers and Red Sox are also reportedly in the mix for the right-hander's services.

O'Day went 6-2 with a 1.50 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over 65 1/3 innings in 68 appearances for the Orioles as their chief setup man last season. Righties hit just .192 off O'Day, while lefties managed a .210 clip. The 33-year-old submariner also earned six saves.

Regardless of whether Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo deals veteran right-handers Jonathan Papelbon and Drew Storen, O'Day would be a key acquisition for the back end of the bullpen. Over an eight-year career that's also included stops with the Angels, Mets and Rangers, O'Day is 31-13 with a 2.31 ERA.

The Nationals' interest in Reds closer Aroldis Chapman is no secret, either. Rizzo inquired about the flame-throwing left-hander at the trade deadline in July, but the Reds asking price was too steep. The 27-year-old has one year remaining on his contract with Cincinnati.

Trading for Chapman would almost certainly end Papelbon's short time in Washington. Rizzo has said he will only trade Papelbon and Storen if he gets a strong offer. Before trading for right-hander Francisco Rodriguez last week, the Tigers inquired about Papelbon and Storen, according to FOXSports.com.

Former Padres bench coach Dave Roberts, who was once reportedly a candidate to join the Nats staff when Bud Black was thought to be the team's next skipper, will be the Dodgers' new manager, according to reports. Meanwhile, new Nationals skipper Dusty Baker is still rounding out his coaching staff.

"We're getting close to wrapping up the staff," Rizzo said. "We wanted to take our time on this and make sure that we had a staff that Dusty really likes and some that we can really count on to increase our productivity."

Mike Maddux (pitching coach), Davey Lopes (first base coach), Rick Schu (hitting coach), Jacque Jones (assistant hitting coach) and Chris Speier have all been hired. Speier will oversee the infielders, but whether he be the bench coach or coach third base is still undecided.

"What Dusty wants to do is see where Chris is and see where some of our other coaches are and see which is the best for him," Rizzo said. "Chris has been next to Dusty in the dugout before. Chris also really likes being in the action at third base. Dusty is going to decide where these guys fit best in the staff."