6:19 pm: Arizona confirmed (Twitter link) that they declined their end of Clippard’s mutual option for the 2022 season.
11:34 am: Diamondbacks right-hander Tyler Clippard has been formally declared a free agent, per an announcement from the MLBPA. Clippard’s contract with Arizona had a $3.5MM mutual option for the 2022 season that came with a $500K buyout.
D-backs general manager Mike Hazen told the Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro yesterday that he could not yet say whether Clippard’s option would be picked up or bought out. It’s not immediately clear which side declined the option — Clippard had the right to decline before the D-backs made their intent known — but the result is the same: Clippard will receive that $500K buyout and return to the free-agent market in search of a new opportunity.
Clippard, 37 in February, is a perennially effective and perennially underrated reliever who’ll now likely look to sign what would be a fifth consecutive one-year deal. The veteran changeup specialist signed a one-year pact in Arizona last year, suffered a shoulder strain during Spring Training, and spent nearly four months on the injured list. However, when healthy, Clippard had another generally productive run. In 25 1/3 innings, he yielded a solid 3.20 ERA with just three home runs allowed.
That said, Clippard’s 2021 season wasn’t without its red flags — even beyond the injury. This year’s 18.9% strikeout rate was his lowest since 2008, while his 9.9% walk rate was his highest since 2017. Clippard has never been a flamethrower, but his 89.1 mph average fastball this season was also a career-low and ranked as the 16th-lowest mark among 344 relievers with at least 20 innings pitched.
It should also be pointed out that while Clippard and that signature changeup have historically dominated opposing left-handed batters, that was far from the case in 2021. Rather, Clippard was clubbed for a .279/.354/.581 line by opposing lefties. Clippard’s dominance over lefties and similarly (and more expected) sharp results against right-handers has long been one of his most desirable assets, so this year’s struggles in that regard could further dampen his market.
like him as an option for Philly
Totally agree. Given how lousy our bullpen in Philly has been the past two years, Clippard, even at 37, is an upgrade. Plus he’s a nice veteran to have in the pen to tutor the youngsters. All that, and he’ll be a cheap, relatively speaking, sign.
like him as an option for Philly
Why would he sign in Philly? With Geraldo Managing the aren’t winning anything soon. He couldn’t win in NY with a $200 million payroll after the first year.
like him as an option for Philly
Don’t like him as an option for Philly
Like him as an option to hit the FA market
I really think he’d be a good option for Philly. Just one man’s opinion.
So get your scores
From a guy like me
Who knows the meaning of words
Like “groin in-ju-ry.”
LOVE him as an option for Philly
He’d slot in perfectly in middle relief for about $3 million for the Phillies.
Its kinda disturbing the way he squeezes the baseball after he gives up a HR or something.
I don’t think anyone has said this yet, but he’d be good for the Phils.
I don’t see Clippard getting anything close to $3M next season so I’m guessing the Diamondbacks refused the option. I can see a base salary of $1.5M with some escalators built on total innings pitched or total appearances.
If it goes that low, I’m fine with it.
I wonder if the Phillies will take a chance on him.
I sense the Phillies make sense
Just taking a stab in the dark here, but anybody think a possibility of him landing in Philadelphia?
Twinkly twinkly what a pathetic excuse for pastry filled with crap
Hopefully the Orioles doesn’t sign him
My impression of him is skewed due to his time with the Yanks. He was pretty bad for us, man.
But aside from his time in the Bronx, he has always been a pretty solid reliever over a pretty long career. He throws half a dozen pitches which is certainly not common for a bullpen arm. As such, I think he can provide a usable counterpoint to most modern ‘pens that generally rely on power arms.
Definitely something to like as an option for philly.
Lol
The Phillies could be a good landing place for him.
I’m pretty sure the Phillies should give him a look.
Easy decision. They could honestly resign him for much less if they wanted
Time for some Philadelphia cream cheese.
My dark horse candidate is the Phillies
Wouldnt mind seeing the Dodgers take a one year flyer on him