A’s Trade Tyler Clippard To Mets For Pitching Prospect

The A’s unloaded another big piece of their pitching staff, this time from the bullpen. Tyler Clippard, in his first year as a part of the Oakland Athletics has been shipped to the New York Mets for RHP Casey Meisner.
Clippard, 30, has pitched 38.2 innings thus far and has a decent 2.79 ERA along with a 1.19 WHIP. His real value is in his ability to get left-handed hitters out so effectively – he’s only allowed
seven hits in 70 at-bats against lefties. A career set-up man, Clippard has been the A’s closer all season, posting 17 saves in 21 attempts.
When Clippard reports Tuesday, there will be $3,129,508 remaining from his $8.3 million salary. Oakland will pay the Mets $1 million as part of the trade.
He has posted an ERA under 3.00 three-straight seasons and has been one of the best right-handed relievers in the AL this year. In return for Clippard, the A’s get a guy who is a couple years away from the big leagues but has some high potential for a 20-year-old.
Meisner was drafted by the Mets in the third round of the 2013 draft out of high school, and through his first couple years, his numbers as a starting pitcher have been stellar. Between low and high A ball this season, he has posted a 10-4 record and a 2.35 ERA in 18 starts.
He is also one of the tallest prospects in the A’s system, standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing only 190 pounds. He throws a fastball that varies from 93-94 mph and can touch 95, and he also owns a curve ball and slider in his arsenal. The two breaking pitches could use some work, but he is well on his way to being a future No. 1 or No. 2 pitcher on the A’s staff in a few years.for more