Lugo is out for 6 weeks and the Mets should go on the market to add an arm. Justin Wilson is mentioned as a strong candidate to return, but maybe we should try and get another arm in his return to the Mets. How about Tyler Clippard?
What a timing to write about Tyler Clippard as he is born 36 years ago today! Clippard has been a very successful reliever over his major league career, pitching to a 3.13 ERA over 842 career innings. The righty has appeared in a total of 777 games over a 14 year span. The former Met had a 1.10 WHIP and allowed just 6.4 hits per nine in his career.
Over the last two seasons, he showed he is still very capable to get hitters out. He combined to pitch to a 2.86 ERA over 88 innings over that span. Good for a 163 ERA+ and a minuscule 0.89.WHIP.
Throughout the entirety of his career, Clippard has been a master of limiting hard hit contact. In 2020 he was in the 92nd percentile in hard hit rate, 82nd percentile in exit velo against, plus in the 94th percentile in walk rate. Those are very strong numbers, to have good success.
And that isn’t just in a small sample size season, either. In 2019, his statcast numbers were even better. In that year he was in the 98th percentile in Exit velo and 96th percentile in hard hit rate. His expected ERA was in the 92nd percentile, showing his complete and dominance dominance at such an age.
Clippard’s best pitch over the last two seasons is his change-up. His combined run value is -14, as he comes off a year were he had a -8. That minus 8 in 2020 was fifth best in the majors and second best change-up amongst relievers, behind Devin Williams’ Airbender.
All in all, Clippard has shown he is still capable of being a very dependable and strong reliever. Let’s give him a nice birthday present with a signing on his birthday! I expect him to sign for around 2.5-3 million on a one year deal. Let’s bring Clippard back in the Orange and Blue!
Photo by: Tyler Clippard personal Twitter @TylerClippard
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