MLB Trade Rumors: New York Mets Close To Acquiring Tyler Clippard
With their bullpen shaky since the All-Star break, the New York Mets are on the verge of acquiring right-handed relief pitcher Tyler Clippard from the Oakland Athletics, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
#Mets making progress on trade for #Athletics‘ Clippard, sources tell me and @jonmorosi. Other teams still in play. Deal expected soon.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 27, 2015
Although Rosenthal notes that there are other teams involved at the moment, the Mets appear to be the favorites at this point in time. It would confirm a report from Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle that Clippard could be on the move as soon as today.
Clippard, 30, is in his first season with the Athletics after being traded in the offseason in exchange for infielder Yunel Escobar. While his numbers on the season are solid, with a 1-3 record and a 2.79 ERA in 38-and-two-thirds innings, they are below his usually excellent standards.
His K/9 has fallen to 8.8 after posting a K/9 lower than 10.0 just once from 2009-2014. Also, his BB/9 rate of 4.9 this season is elevated from the 2.9 he posted last season. Home runs have not been an issue, as he’s allowed just 0.7 HR/9 this season, but perhaps a change of scenery will help the formerly known “Yankee Clippard.”
A two-time All-Star, Clippard spent seven years with the Washington Nationals, occupying every role a pitcher could, from starting, setting up, and closing. He was acquired from the New York Yankees after the 2007 season in exchange for Jonathan Albaladejo. From 2010-2014, Clippard pitched to a 2.63 ERA through 393-and-one-third innings for Washington, including posting a 32 save season in 2012.
Mets closer Jeurys Familia has stumbled out of the gates since the All-Star break. After blowing a save in extra innings against the St. Louis Cardinals last Sunday, Familia blew another save opportunity against the Los Angeles Dodgers yesterday afternoon. The Mets went on to win both games, but Familia made things far more interesting than they should have been.
On the season, he has converted 27 saves in 31 chances.
Should the Mets acquire Clippard, they could use him to set up Familia or even slot him into the closer role if they feel Familia is not their best option. Also, the recently returning Jenrry Mejia would be ineligible for the postseason due to his 80-game PED suspension, giving New York reliable insurance in the bullpen.
For those wondering, Athletics versatile infielder and outfielder Ben Zobrist would not be a part of the trade. The Mets were rumored to be heavily interested in the longtime Tampa Bay Ray. But according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, the Mets are close to a Clippard deal, but Zobrist is not a part of it.
Source: Mets, A’s indeed making progress on Tyler Clippard deal, as @ken_rosenthal said. No Ben Zobrist involvement in these talks. — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2015
However, Andy Martino of the New York Daily News tweets that the Mets have discussed the young right-hander with the A’s in a potential trade for Zobrist. That does not mean that he is a part of this Clippard deal, but it could help facilitate a trade between the two clubs in the coming days.
Mets have been willing to trade Montero to #Athletics for Zobrist, per sources. So Re Clippard, teams already have spent time talking pieces
— Andy Martino (@MartinoNYDN) July 27, 2015
The Mets recent moves, including acquiring Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson from the Atlanta Braves, prove that they are seriously trying to improve the team to contend this season. If this Clippard deal is consummated, they will become that much better of an all-around team.
[Image by Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images]
