The Arizona Diamondbacks have already made their A-list acquisitions this offseason. Now, it’s time to start upgrading around the edges.
According to a report by Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports on Monday, the team has agreed to two-year, $12.25 million contract with free agent reliever Tyler Clippard. The deal is also said to include a $4 million signing bonus.
Source: Clippard in agreement with #DBacks on two-year, $12.25M contract.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 8, 2016
Clippard deal with #DBacks is official, per source: $4M signing bonus, $4.1M salary in 2016, and $4.15M salary in 2017.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 8, 2016
Clippard, 30, has carved out a niche over the years as a reliable setup man. He went 5-4 with a 2.92 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 71.0 total innings pitched last season, helping the Mets win the NL Pennant after coming over at the trade deadline. A two-time All-Star as well, Clippard is a proven talent that is durable and that can hold leads for Brad Ziegler in the ninth inning.
The Diamondbacks have been working the phones non-stop this winter, landing Zack Greinke in a coup and recently acquiring Jean Segura in a trade with the Brewers. Now with solid bullpen depth in Clippard aboard, they are rounding themselves into the kind of team that could make the NL West very interesting in 2016.
Image Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
H/T Rotoworld
