D-Backs sign Clippard to 2-year deal

The Arizona Diamondbacks continued to revamp their pitching staff Monday, signing right-handed reliever Tyler Clippard to a two-year deal reportedly worth $12.25 million, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Clippard's deal reportedly includes a $4-million signing bonus and salaries of $4.1 million in 2016 and $4.15 million in 2017. The two-time All-Star made $8.3 million last season, his final year of arbitration eligibility.

Despite vacillating between setup and closing duties in recent years, Clippard has been one of the most effective relievers in the majors for more than a half decade, fashioning a 2.48 ERA while making more appearances (440) than any pitcher in baseball since 2010.

Last year, Clippard crafted a 2.92 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP over 69 outings between the New York Mets and Oakland Athletics while posting the highest fly-ball rate (60.6 percent) among qualified relievers. Despite the deal, sources tell Nick Piecoro of AZCentral Sports that Brad Ziegler is expected to remain the club's closer entering spring training.

The acquisition of Clippard is the latest move in general manager Dave Stewart's aggressive offseason overhaul, which has included dealing for starter Shelby Miller, infielder Jean Segura, and signing free-agent ace Zack Greinke to a $206.5-million contract.