Darren O'Day nearing decision

One year after the Orioles lost left-hander Andrew Miller in free agency, another huge hole could be punched in their bullpen. Will they go down swinging?

Right-hander Darren O'Day remains on the market, but it shouldn't be much longer. The Nationals continue to be viewed as the favorites to sign him, and that includes some people within the Orioles organization.

The Orioles have an offer on the table for O'Day, 33, but a couple of sources believe that he's leaning toward joining the Nationals, which suits his preference to stay on the East Coast while also enabling him to accept a desirable four-year contract.

Unless something abruptly changes, the Orioles aren't expected to increase their offer. They're hoping to keep O'Day - no one has given up on the possibility - while also checking other relief options in case they lose him.

They're basically in a holding pattern with O'Day while refusing to stand still, if that makes sense. It's the same scenario with first baseman Chris Davis. They haven't surrendered, but the optimism comes in waves. It isn't sustained.

The Dodgers, one of the teams in the final four, figure to have the most money to offer O'Day. However, a source said, "He isn't going to Los Angeles." The Braves also are a finalist, but they're in rebuilding mode and O'Day obviously would prefer pitching for a contender.

O'Day's wife, Elizabeth Prann, is a reporter for FOX News Channel who's based out of their D.C. bureau, enhancing his desire to stay local.

The Orioles want to sign or trade for a reliever this winter. They also believe that their late-inning relief remains a strength with Brad Brach, Mychal Givens and closer Zach Britton.

Not that O'Day is easily replaceable. He's 23-8 with a 1.92 ERA and 0.939 WHIP in four seasons with the Orioles since they claimed him off waivers from the Rangers on Nov. 2, 2011, shortly before they hired Dan Duquette as executive vice president of baseball operations. He went 6-2 with a 1.52 ERA and 0.934 WHIP in 65 1/3 innings this year over 68 appearances.

O'Day also is the undisputed leader of the bullpen, and the Orioles already felt the void in the clubhouse left by the departures of outfielders Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz.

His loss would hurt on multiple fronts.

During his interview last night on the "Hot Stove Show," Britton said O'Day is "doing great" and stated the obvious reason.

"Wouldn't you? Look at the free agent market right now," Britton said.

"He's been great. Darren's helped me out a lot. He isn't just a great teammate, he's a great guy, and I feel like wherever he ends up, we're going to be friends for a long time."

Asked whether he's begging O'Day to stay, Britton laughed and replied, "I am, but at the same time I tell him I want him to do what's best for him and his young child now. He's not a kid. He's getting older. This could be the last contract he gets.

"I hope he comes back to us. I know he loves playing for Buck (Showalter), he loves Baltimore, he loves the teammates that we have there, and I think that's a huge thing for him now and I think he's weighing those options.

"He would love to come back. He absolutely would, but his position where he is, he's pretty much the most coveted reliever on the free agent market. Money's going to get thrown at you and you've seen how teams are willing to spend on relievers now. Andrew Miller kind of set that market.

"Whatever he does, I'll be happy, but I'm going to be a little bit happier if he's in front of me because it's worked out the last few years and I feel like that would be a tough tandem to break up."