Athletics trade Yunel Escobar to Nationals for Tyler Clippard

The Oakland Athletics have traded Yunel Escobar to the Washington Nationals for right-handed reliever Tyler Clippard, the clubs have confirmed. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports first reported that Escobar was going to the Nationals. MLB.com Nationals beat writer William Ladson has confirmed Jon Heyman's report.

William Ladson reported that Tyler Clippard will be part of this deal:

Tyler Clippard is involved in the deal.The deal is pending, I was informed.#Nats #Nationals #MLB

— William Ladson (@washingnats) January 15, 2015

yunel-for-clippard deal is pending physicals. @washingnats confirmed that clippard is indeed going to oakland in deal.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) January 15, 2015

Susan Slusser adds that taking Yunel Escobar off Tampa Bay's hands was a prerequisite for getting Ben Zobrist:

I have independent confirmation deal has happened, Escobar for Clippard. Taking Escobar was how the #Athletics were able to get Zobrist.

— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) January 15, 2015

Clippard, turning 30, is in his final arbitration year, where he is projected by Matt Swartz's arbitration model at MLB Trade Rumors to earn $9.3 million. Clippard had a 2.18 ERA and 2.75 FIP in 70⅓ innings for the Washington Nationals in 2014, and a career ERA of 2.88 and FIP of 3.64 in 491 innings.

Escobar, 32, was acquired with Ben Zobrist for John Jaso, Daniel Robertson, and Boog Powell last Saturday. At the time, Escobar was believed to become the everyday shortstop for the A's, allowing Marcus Semien to move around the diamond to spell players for rest. Now it appears Semien will return to a more regular role. Depending on the return, this might be great news for Eric Sogard, who appeared to be the odd man out in the infield after the A's acquired both Zobrist and Escobar.

Escobar is slated to earn $5 million in 2015, $7 million in 2016, and has a $7 million team option with a $1 million buyout for 2017.

Four days is not even close to a record time for Billy Beane to flip a player. That crown I believe goes to the Michael Barrett-Damian Miller two step, in which the A's acquired Michael Barrett from the Montreal Expos only to trade him on the same day to the Chicago Cubs for Damian Miller.

The clubs have confirmed the deal.

#Athletics acquire RHP Tyler Clippard from Washington for SS Yunel Escobar.

— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) January 15, 2015

The #Nats have acquired INF Yunel Escobar from Oakland in exchange for RHP Tyler Clippard: http://t.co/BEzqxvy5os pic.twitter.com/rv5lEnifRa

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) January 15, 2015