Tyler Clippard to Mets: Latest Trade Details, Comments and Reaction

The Oakland Athletics traded relief pitcher Tyler Clippard and cash considerations to the New York Mets on Monday in exchange for Casey Meisner, the Mets announced.

Clippard was in his first season with the Athletics, recording 17 saves and a 2.79 ERA. He is coming off an All-Star season in 2014 as a setup man for the Washington Nationals where he struck out 82 batters in 70.1 innings. 

The two-time All-Star spent seven seasons in Washington after he was traded from the New York Yankees in 2007. He struck out over 70 batters each year from 2010 to 2014 while averaging just 79 innings per season.

Going the other way is right-handed pitcher Casey Meisner, who is 10-4 in 18 appearances across Single-A and High-A ball this year. At 20 years old, he's likely a few years away from contributing for Oakland at the major league level.     

ESPN.com's Keith Law believes the Mets might have given up a bit too much for Clippard:

The A's are looking to jolt their side back into contention in the American League West. They currently sit in last place in the division, 12 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Angels. Dealing a talent like Clippard allows them to receive assets to help address larger needs.

New York has the option of utilizing Clippard as a closer or a setup man, as he has shown in prior seasons that he is capable of fulfilling both roles. He recorded a career-high 32 saves in 2012 in his only other season as a closer. Regardless, Clippard's presence will certainly add another dimension to the Mets' bullpen.

Until recently, Jeurys Familia seemed to have a lock on the closer role. However, he has blown his last two save opportunities. On June 26, he allowed two runs to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1.1 innings.

In the event the Mets want to relieve Familia of ninth-inning duties, they can now count on Clippard to step into the role.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.