In a series of tweets today, New York Post columnist Joel Sherman talked about the reliever market, specifically saying the Blue Jays may have moved on from Jonathan Papelbon and may be focusing on Oakland Athletics reliever Tyler Clippard. I’ve combined his tweets because they’re a bit jumbled.
Heard Blue Jays haven’t talked in week to Phillies about Papelbon. Concentrating on relievers now. Phillies scouts are watching Cubs system, so there could be traction with Papelbon to Chicago. But still lots of of obstacles. Keep in mind Blue Jays did talk a lot to Nationals in offseason about Clippard. So if Athletics sell that could be Toronto target. For what it’s worth heard Astros were very close to getting Clippard in offseason, but Nationals traded to Athletics. Houston’s rebuilt bullpen has been excellent without Clippard.
Acquiring Clippard would make sense for the Blue Jays. Their bullpen hasn’t been atrocious, but it’s in need of an upgrade.
Clippard is having a solid – if not spectacular – season in Oakland, and would likely be available considering the A’s are 12 games under .500 and are presumably entering sell mode. He’s posted a 3.20 ERA, although his walk rate (4.6) and strikeout rate (7.8) are slightly down from his career averages.
The reliever would give the Blue Jays another dependable late inning option and a potential closer should Brett Cecil get injured or implode. It would also mean the club could relax on the usage of rookie Roberto Osuna, while also allowing them to turn to Clippard instead of Liam Hendriks or Steve Delebar, as often as they do.
The big question is, would Billy Beane deal with the Blue Jays after he was fleeced in the Josh Donaldson deal? I would imagine that wouldn’t be an issue. Clippard is a fine player, but even if he got the raw end of a potential deal, it wouldn’t be a potential franchise crippler like the Donaldson deal was.
