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D-backs Decline Option On Tyler Clippard

By Steve Adams | November 4, 2021 at 5:25pm CDT

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.

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Arizona Diamondbacks Transactions Tyler Clippard

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View Comments (28)
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28 Comments

  1. DarkSide830

    4 years ago

    like him as an option for Philly

    1
    Reply
    • Backup Catcher to the Backup Catcher

      4 years ago

      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.

      Reply
  2. mlb1225

    4 years ago

    like him as an option for Philly

    4
    Reply
    • Yep it is

      4 years ago

      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.

      Reply
  3. Rangers29

    4 years ago

    like him as an option for Philly

    2
    Reply
  4. KlausSchwabIsRight

    4 years ago

    Don’t like him as an option for Philly

    4
    Reply
  5. TJECK109

    4 years ago

    Like him as an option to hit the FA market

    2
    Reply
  6. atxapex

    4 years ago

    I really think he’d be a good option for Philly. Just one man’s opinion.

    4
    Reply
    • kiwimlbfan

      4 years ago

      So get your scores
      From a guy like me
      Who knows the meaning of words
      Like “groin in-ju-ry.”

      Reply
  7. JeffreyChungus

    4 years ago

    LOVE him as an option for Philly

    3
    Reply
  8. bucketbrew35

    4 years ago

    He’d slot in perfectly in middle relief for about $3 million for the Phillies.

    5
    Reply
  9. bucsfan0004

    4 years ago

    Its kinda disturbing the way he squeezes the baseball after he gives up a HR or something.

    1
    Reply
  10. mlb1225

    4 years ago

    I don’t think anyone has said this yet, but he’d be good for the Phils.

    7
    Reply
  11. Dorothy_Mantooth

    4 years ago

    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.

    3
    Reply
    • bucketbrew35

      4 years ago

      If it goes that low, I’m fine with it.

      Reply
  12. gbs42

    4 years ago

    I wonder if the Phillies will take a chance on him.

    Reply
  13. rafaelgomes

    4 years ago

    I sense the Phillies make sense

    Reply
  14. twinky

    4 years ago

    Just taking a stab in the dark here, but anybody think a possibility of him landing in Philadelphia?

    1
    Reply
    • User 1471943197

      4 years ago

      Twinkly twinkly what a pathetic excuse for pastry filled with crap

      Reply
  15. Orioles Fan

    4 years ago

    Hopefully the Orioles doesn’t sign him

    Reply
  16. Ducky Buckin Fent

    4 years ago

    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.

    Reply
    • misterlol

      4 years ago

      Lol

      Reply
  17. Cincyfan85

    4 years ago

    The Phillies could be a good landing place for him.

    Reply
  18. aerojim38

    4 years ago

    I’m pretty sure the Phillies should give him a look.

    1
    Reply
  19. bravesfan

    4 years ago

    Easy decision. They could honestly resign him for much less if they wanted

    Reply
  20. Fred McGriff

    4 years ago

    Time for some Philadelphia cream cheese.

    1
    Reply
  21. Swan Gaust

    4 years ago

    My dark horse candidate is the Phillies

    Reply
  22. bahahahaha

    4 years ago

    Wouldnt mind seeing the Dodgers take a one year flyer on him

    Reply

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