Major League Baseball

Clippard, Diamondbacks agree to $12.25M, 2-year contract

Published Feb. 8, 2016 11:42 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

PHOENIX (AP) Reliever Tyler Clippard agreed Monday to a $12.25 million, two-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The deal with the right-hander, who turns 31 on Sunday, adds a late-game option for the Diamondbacks, who expect to be a contender after boosting their rotation by signing Zack Greinke and acquiring Shelby Miller in a trade with Atlanta.

Clippard was 5-4 wth a 2.92 ERA last year with the Oakland Athletics and New York Mets, holding batters to a .186 average, 10th-best in the majors. He was even better with runners in scoring position at .133.

He spent most of his nine-year major league career as setup man for the Washington Nationals and could fill the same role behind Arizona closer Brad Ziegler. Right-hander Daniel Hudson and left-hander Andrew Chafin are the other late-game options for Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale.

Clippard is the only pitcher to appear in at least 69 big league games each of the last six seasons. He leads all relievers in that span with 34 wins, 440 games and 464 1/3 innings.

Clippard has a 42-29 career record with a 2.88 ERA, with 612 strikeouts in 562 innings. He was an All-Star with the Nationals in 2011 and 2014.

The Mets acquired Clippard from Oakland for minor league pitcher Casey Meisner.

Clippard had a terrific start in his time with the Mets but faded late in the season. He had a 6.14 ERA in September and allowed five runs in 6 2-3 innings in the postseason.

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball