Diamondbacks’ Tyler Clippard: Signs two-year contract with Diamondbacks on Monday

Texas Rangers rumors: Tyler Clippard and the Arizona Diamondbacks have been in contact, per a report from Nick Piecoro, and the D-Backs apparently believe they have “made progress toward a deal”.

Clippard deal with #DBacks is official, per source: $4M signing bonus, $4.1M salary in 2016, and $4.15M salary in 2017.

The Mets had only mild interest in retaining Clippard, and weren’t considering anything more than a one-year deal. The relief pitcher probably remained on the market a bit longer than most expected considering his track record, especially in light of the fact that he didn’t come attached to draft pick compensation. Prior to splitting last season between the east and west coasts, Clippard spent his first seven campaigns with the Nationals while his final season in Washington came in 2014 under Williams. He notched a career-high 32 saves for the Nats in 2012 and earned two All-Star nods with the club.

After being acquired, Clippard didn’t allow a run in three appearances in July and posted a 0.60 ERA while walking just four batters in 15 appearances in August, but he struggled after, with a 6.59 ERA in September and a 6.75 ERA in eight postseason appearances. He owns a 2.88 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 9.8 K/9 rate over nine big league seasons. He has tossed at least 70 innings since 2010 and has never been on the disabled list.