Apparently, the Oakland Athletics think Marcus Semien can be their starting shortstop after all.
OK, that’s burying the lede a bit. Just days after acquiring Yunel Escobar from the Rays, general manager Billy Beane flipped the shortstop to the Nationals, reportedly in exchange for reliever Tyler Clippard.
CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman was the first to report Escobar had been dealt to the Nats:
Yunel has indeed been traded to nats.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) January 15, 2015
MLB.com beat reporter William Ladson soon followed up with the news that Tyler Clippard is going to Oakland in the other side of that trade:
Tyler Clippard is involved in the deal.The deal is pending, I was informed.#Nats #Nationals #MLB
— William Ladson (@washingnats) January 15, 2015
In the short term for the Nationals, Escobar fills the team’s opening at second base, bumping Danny Espinosa to the utility role for which he’s best suited. Last season, Nats second basemen batted a combined .229 (12th in the NL) with a .672 OPS. Escobar batted .258 with a .664 OPS. Or if Nats GM Mike Rizzo decides to deal current shortstop Ian Desmond before he can leave as a free agent, he now has insurance at the position.
Looking ahead, Escobar could also be the Nats’ starting shortstop in 2016 if Desmond signs elsewhere through free agency. The 32-year-old is signed through next season with a $7 million club option (versus $1 million buyout) on his contract for 2017. That could provide enough of a stopgap until Trea Turner or Wilmer Difo is ready. Or if Desmond is re-signed, one of those prospects could eventually take over at second base.
For the A’s, Clippard provides another top setup man to pair with Ryan Cook in front of closer Sean Doolittle. Essentially, he replaces Luke Gregerson, who signed with the Astros as a free agent. The right-hander (soon to be 30 years old) compiled a 2.18 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 70.1 innings for the Nats last season. Clippard is eligible for free agency next winter. MLB Trade Rumors projects him to earn a $9.3 million salary through arbitration.
