Jon Heyman of CBS Sports is reporting that free agent reliever Tyler Clippard is seeking a two-year deal.
That could be a deal-breaker for the Mets who are not likely to go beyond a one-year deal for their former setup man.
Previous Report – 12/18
The New York Mets have not ruled out re-signing reliever Tyler Clippard, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN. During the Winter Meetings in Nashville, assistant GM John Ricco told reporters that Clippard was still in play for the Mets.
Clippard, 31, went 3-0 with a 3.06 ERA and 1.052 WHIP in 32 relief appearances for the Mets last season with a 7.2 K/9.
He was nearly light’s out his first month with the Mets, but things fell apart in September/October when he posted a 6.14 ERA and an opposing OPS of .858, causing him to lose the setup role to Addison Reed. In the playoffs, Clippard recorded a 6.75 ERA in eight appearances.
The Mets acquired Clippard from the Oakland Athletics at the trade deadline for right-handed pitching prospect Casey Meisner.
The Twins, Dodgers and Blue Jays have all expressed interest in Clippard, who earned $8.3 million last season.
Clippard makes me nervous. He has a lot of wear and tear on that arm and won’t be cheap. My question is which Clippard will we get, the guy we saw in August or the one we saw in September, October and November?
