Houston Astros add Tyler Clippard to bullpen
The Houston Astros have made a trade, adding Tyler Clippard to their worn down bullpen.
After starting August 3-9, it seemed abundantly clear that the Houston Astros decision to stand pat at the non-waiver trade deadline was a mistake. While they didn’t acquire the man they were originally after in Zach Britton, Tyler Clippard is no slouch either.
This is the second trade this season for Clippard, who was also involved in the deal that sent him from the Bronx to the South Side in the Todd Frazier, David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle deal. Since the beginning of 2015, this is the fifth time that Clippard has been traded, going from Washington to Oakland for Yunel Escobar, then Oakland to the Mets for minor leaguer Casey Meisner.
After becoming a free agent following the 2015 season, Clippard signed a two year, $12.25 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks during their big spending spree and shipped him out to the Yankees for Vicente Campos, again at the deadline.
The White Sox will be getting the infamous PTBNL in the deal, but in looking at some of the pieces that have been used in trades to acquire Clippard’s services in the recent past, it’s not going to cost the ‘Stros Kyle Tucker. While he is still likely too much to move for a month and a half of a reliever, recently suspended David Paulino would be an intriguing name that could be floated.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Paulino was suspended for 80 games for testing positive for boldenone, a PED. Paulino was a top 100 prospect entering the season, which is certainly a higher price than can be expected in this deal, but the real question is how much has Paulino’s stock fallen after this positive test? The White Sox acquired Lucas Giolito last winter even though there were reports of decreased velocity, so it’s not like they haven’t taken a risk in the past based on talent.
As for the Astros, they’ll be getting a 32-year-old righty that holds a 4.27 ERA across 46 1/3 innings this season. With Clippard added to the mix with Luke Gregerson, Ken Giles and Chris Devenski, Houston’s bullpen has the pieces they’ll need to contend. Will Harris, currently on the DL, threw his first bullpen session on Sunday and is expected to need another two or three before heading out on a rehab assignment. Harris has been one of the unsung heroes of the Astros bullpen since they began competing in 2015 and was an All Star last season.
Next: Sox have decisions to make on Abreu, Garcia
Harris has been out since July 5, so when he comes back, along with the additions of Clippard and Francisco Liriano, the bullpen should be able to pick up the rotation and vice versa the rest of the way. If nothing else, Clippard can eat up innings that the key cogs in Harris, Gregerson, Devo and Giles don’t necessarily need to be involved in and he has more experience that the rest of the young bullpen. Clippard is a solid depth addition for a team with some high hopes.