Yunel Escobar to Nationals for Tyler Clippard: Latest Trade Details and Reaction

Just days after acquiring Yunel Escobar, the Oakland Athletics have flipped the veteran shortstop to the Washington Nationals for pitcher Tyler Clippard.

The Nationals announced the deal:

Escobar, 32, hit .258/.324/.340 with seven home runs and 33 runs scored with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2013. He is more known for his defensive prowess, although he took an unexpected step back in that area last season, finishing with negative-24 defensive runs saved after averaging 8.2 the previous six years, per FanGraphs.com. 

Still, he's a solid veteran who is under club control through the 2017 season. His acquisition will heat up the Ian Desmond trade rumors, but it's also likely he makes the move to second base to help replace Asdrubal Cabrera and push Danny Espinosa into a backup role.  

For the A's, Clippard, who has been one of the best and most reliable relievers in the game for the last several seasons, is a really nice return. According to Nationals beat writer Amanda Comak, the 29-year-old is the only reliever in the majors to make at least 70 appearances in each of the last five seasons. 

In 2014, he compiled a 2.18 ERA, 0.995 WHIP and 82 strikeouts in 70.1 innings, earning his second All-Star appearance. Moreover, as The Washington Post's James Wagner and Adam Kilgore both noted, his pitching talent is matched by his off-the-field personality:

Although he hasn't been a full-time closer since 2012, Clippard is one of the most dominant high-leverage pitchers in the majors. He may compete with Sean Doolittle for the job, but even if he doesn't, he's gives the A's a lights-out option for the seventh and eighth innings. 

Moving Escobar also re-opens the full-time shortstop position for Marcus Semien, who was acquired in the Jeff Samardzija deal. Semien, 24, hit just .234/.300/.372 in 255 plate appearances last season, but the former top-100 prospect still has a high ceiling.