The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to sign free agent relief pitcher Tyler Clippard to a two-year contract worth $12.25 million. The agreement was first reported by FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal:
Source: Clippard in agreement with #DBacks on two-year, $12.25M contract.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 8, 2016
Rosenthal adds that Clippard’s deal includes a $4 million signing bonus along with $4.1 million and $4.15 million salaries in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
The D’backs had reportedly been discussing Clippard in recent days and progressed toward an agreement on Monday. The relief pitcher probably remained on the market a bit longer than most expected considering his track record, especially in light of the fact that he didn’t come attached to draft pick compensation.
A product of the Yankees system, Clippard was traded to the Nationals prior to the 2008 campaign and spent the following seven seasons in Washington. The righty developed into an effective relief arm as both a setup man and closer. He notched a career-high 32 saves for the Nats in 2012 and earned two All-Star nods with the club.
Clippard started 2015 with the A’s where he racked up 17 saves in 21 opportunities before being traded to the Mets prior to the deadline. He struggled at times in New York, posting a 6.14 ERA in the month of September and surrendering five earned runs on seven hits in 6.2 total innings in the postseason.
Despite his poor finish with the Mets, Clippard still boasts very solid career numbers. He owns a 2.88 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 9.8 K/9 rate over nine big league seasons. He has also been quite durable, tossing at least 70 frames in relief in each season since 2010.
The D’backs had a fairly middle-of-the-pack bullpen in 2015. Their relievers managed a 3.56 ERA overall, good for 13th in MLB. Clippard, who turns 31 next week, figures to help in that regard and should slot into a setup role in front of closer Brad Ziegler. The veteran Ziegler went 30-for-32 in save chances last year to the tune of a 1.85 ERA.
Next: Blue Jays Spring Training Preview
Arizona also received strong relief performances from 25-year-old lefty Andrew Chafin (2.76 ERA in 75 IP) and Randall Delgado (3.25 ERA in 72 IP). The Diamondbacks will hope their bullpen stands firm this year as it supports a starting rotation that added Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller in the offseason.