Nationals lose out on Darren O'Day, who reportedly returns to Orioles on 4-year deal

With Darren O'Day's choice reportedly down to returning to the Baltimore Orioles he'd pitched for over the last four years or moving south to Washington, D.C. to join the Nationals, Washington Post writer Barry Svrluga wrote on Saturday night that the decision could come down to the Nats' willingness to five the 33-year-old reliever a fourth year:

On Darren O'Day: Expectation of some is it's down to Nationals and Orioles. If it takes a fourth year, Washington may say, "No thank you."

— Barry Svrluga (@barrysvrluga) December 5, 2015

According to reports this morning, it was that fourth year that made a difference as O'Day ultimately decided to return to the O's on what is believed to be a 4-year/$31M deal:

#Nationals had been reluctant to give O’Day 4th yr -set definitive price point. #Orioles get him on 4-yr, $31M deal, as @JonHeymanCBS said.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2015

Baltimore Sun writer Dan Connolly is reporting this morning that the Nationals and O'Day came close to a deal on Friday before the Orioles made a last-ditch effort to bring the sidewinding reliever back to Camden Yards:

Source: ODay was expected to agree with the Nats on Friday but Orioles came in with an 11th hour fourth year. And that got it done.

— Dan Connolly (@danconnollysun) December 6, 2015

One warning about the O'Day situation. Nothing has been signed. There's an agreement on the table. But not official yet.

— Dan Connolly (@danconnollysun) December 6, 2015

#Nationals had been reluctant to give O’Day 4th yr -set definitive price point. #Orioles get him on 4-yr, $31M deal, as @JonHeymanCBS said.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2015

So where do Mike Rizzo and Co. in the Nationals' front office turn now as they attempt to revamp their bullpen?

Reports last night said the Nats would be shopping '09 1st Round pick Drew Storen this week at the Winter Meetings.

Will Mike Rizzo be able to find a deal for Jonathan Papelbon?

Any other free agent relievers the Nationals should target or is the trade market the answer going foward?

Should the Nationals have been willing to go to a fourth year with O'Day?:

According to source Orioles didnt have 4year deal on table on Friday but added it to keep Oday. Nats reportedly were reluctant for a 4th yr

— Dan Connolly (@danconnollysun) December 6, 2015