Reports: Reliever Tyler Clippard among Diamondbacks’ free agency targets
Feb 5, 2016, 5:42 PM | Updated: Feb 6, 2016, 9:53 pm
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
It was no secret the Arizona Diamondbacks set out this offseason to shake up the pitching staff. They addressed the starting pitching by signing Zack Greinke and trading for Shelby Miller but have yet to address the bullpen situation.
Considering the timing and their tighter financial situation, there doesn’t seem to be much room for a complete makeover.
But one move? One is possible.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, free agent reliever Tyler Clippard is atop the D-backs’ short-list.
The #Dbacks, who badly want another back-end reliever, have identified Tyler Clippard as the one atop their wish list
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 5, 2016
Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart told The Arizona Republic on Tuesday that Clippard could be an option, though he admitted Arizona hadn’t reached out to the pitcher.
The setup man could help the D-backs’ bullpen that will likely include Brad Ziegler, Randall Delgado, Josh Collmenter and Daniel Hudson, among others. It would certainly provide depth and another proven option to a bullpen that became overworked due to short games from the D-backs’ starters.
The 30-year-old Clippard finished the 2015 season with the Mets after being dealt from Oakland in July. He posted a 2.92 ERA and 1.13 WHIP between the two clubs in 69 appearances.