Orioles near multi-year extension with O'Day

The Orioles reached agreements with pitchers Jim Johnson and Jason Hammel on one-year contracts earlier tonight, and they're close to a multi-year extension with reliever Darren O'Day, according to industry sources. The deal is "all but done," according to one source. The Orioles are on the verge of giving O'Day, 30, a two-year contract that also includes an option for 2015. O'Day made $1.350 million last season while winning a career-high seven games in eight decisions and posting a 2.28 ERA in 69 relief appearances. He allowed 49 hits, walked 14 and struck out 69 in 67 innings. O'Day requested $3.2 million in arbitration, while the Orioles offered $1.8 million. Toward the end of the 2012 season, O'Day had emerged as the Orioles' primary set-up man while Pedro Strop dealt with command issues. He allowed no runs and one hit over seven innings in the playoffs. O'Day only appeared in 16 games with the Texas Rangers in 2011 after suffering a torn labrum in his left hip and sustaining a shoulder injury, going 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 16 2/3 innings. The Orioles claimed him off waivers in November shortly before Dan Duquette was hired as executive vice president. Manager Buck Showalter jokes that the acquisition occurred during his three days as general manager. Now, O'Day is on the verge of signing a two-year deal and the Orioles are on the verge of having all of their arbitration-eligible players under contract before hearing dates are set.