Twins sign Tyler Clippard to one-year deal

The Twins have signed veteran right-hander Tyler Clippard to a one-year, $2.75M deal, the team announced earlier today. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported the details of the deal for the reliever.

If your initial reaction was, “Wait that guy is still in baseball?”, you’d be both correct and sorely missing out on what’s a nice comeback story in the making.

Clippard has had a pretty up and down career. Last season he missed the first few months due to a pectoral strain, but after returning to Cleveland’s active roster in April, he pitched a 2.90 ERA nn 62 innings — including 5 1/3 highly unsuccessful innings as an opener. He was also able to wrangle in a 9.3 K/9, proving that he could have a new life as a bullpen member.

The 34-year old also ranks in the 98th percentile when it comes to exit velocity allowed and is a major fly-ball pitcher. His slash line facing lefties is exceptionally dominant, with southpaws facing him averaging a .123/.210/.255. The deal is a low risk, high reward move for the Twins, especially with the scarcity of left relievers on the market this winter.

The Twins have been making their share of moves this offseason, and are still one of the most aggressive teams pursuing Josh Donaldson. After a positive run with the team after last year’s trade deadline, the Twins have brought back Sergio Romo for another year. Coming into 2020, their bullpen is now loaded with Trevor May, Zack Littell, Tyler Duffey, and new star closer, Taylor Rogers. With the added veteran presence, Romo and Clippard will (hopefully) bring some stability to the Twins’ platoon.

This brings Minnesota’s 40-man roster up to 38. Could Donaldson possible be #39 or 40?