Mets bolster bullpen by adding Tyler Clippard

Former Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard will not be coming back to D.C. for a run to the playoffs. Making matters worse, Clippard will join the Mets, who are chasing the Nats in the National League East.

Oakland traded Clippard earlier this evening to New York along with cash considerations for minor league right-hander Casey Meisner. Clippard was the A's closer this season, saving 17 of 21 chances with a 2.79 ERA.

The Mets will most likely use Clippard in an eighth-inning setup role to get the ball to their closer, Jeurys Familia, who has saved 27 games this season. The reliable Clippard led the majors in holds with 40 for the Nationals in 2014.

After spending seven seasons in D.C., the Nationals traded Clippard to Oakland in exchange for Yunel Escobar in January. While Escobar's .322 batting average is fifth-best in the NL, the Nationals have yet to find a consistent replacement for Clippard. To further the void left from Clippard's departure is the absence of right-hander Craig Stammen from the bullpen after undergoing season-ending flexor tendon surgery on his throwing arm on April 19.

The Nationals signed right-hander Casey Janssen in late January to assume the eighth-inning duties. But the former Blue Jays closer was bothered by shoulder inflammation in spring training and didn't make his season debut until May 23. After allowing runs in three consecutive appearances to start July, Janssen might be settling into the setup role. He has held opponents scoreless with nine strikeouts and no walks while handling the eighth in his last six games.

With the non-waiver trade deadline approaching on Friday, the Nationals remain rumored to be heavily interested in Cincinnati's Aroldis Chapman, San Diego's Craig Kimbrel and Philadelphia's Jonathan Papelbon. Adding reinforcements like any of those three closers would certainly make a giant statement while creating an interesting situation for Drew Storen, who has saved 29 of 31 chances this season.

The Nationals will get a chance to get reacquainted with Clippard later this week when they travel to Citi Field to face the Mets in a crucial division battle beginning Friday. Whether the Nats will be sharing a new shiny piece in their bullpen over the weekend is up to general manager Mike Rizzo.