Oakland A's trade Tyler Clippard to New York Mets for RHP Casey Meisner

The Oakland Athletics are trading Tyler Clippard and $1 million to the New York Mets for right-handed pitcher Casey Meisner, the team announced Monday afternoon. The exact figure of cash considerations was reported by Ken Davidoff of the New York Post. There was no announcement from the A's on who would replace Clippard on the active roster. The Washington Nationals were also said to be late contenders for their former setup man, tweeted Jon Heyman earlier Monday.

Casey Meisner, 20, was New York's 3rd round selection in the 2013 draft and signed for $500,000, according to MLB.com's Jim Callis. Meisner started the year in Low-A but was promoted to High-A after 12 starts where he struck out 66 and walked 19 in 76 innings, finishing his time in the South Atlantic League with a 2.13 ERA. In the High-A Florida State League, Meisner has struck out 23 and walked 14 in 35 innings, earning a 2.83 ERA.

In June, Minor League Ball's Quinn Barry wrote up a projection on Meisner:

Ultimately, I see Meisner panning out as a No. 3 or No. 4 starter on a first-division team, with the potential to outplay that projection. His fastball will be a plus offering, and his change-up may get there, but his curve will hold him back from consistent greatness. Casey will flash the occasional great start and the occasional dud. Overall, though, he should be a pitcher you can count on to provide quality innings.

Minor League Ball South Atlantic League writer John Calvagno wrote up Meisner's May 8 start where he gave up just two hits and struck out nine:

Casey Meisner is a very interesting pitcher, he currently throws an average velocity fastball, that plays above average to plus because of the plane he throws at. There's projection left, so if he's able to add a few ticks, we could be looking at a future 60/65 fastball or more. His curve is at least an average offering that can throw for strikes seemingly at will, it showed good tilt when he got on top of the pitch. I didn't see much of the change-up, the few that he threw I saw some sink but I didn't get a good read on the fade. His current command and control are pretty advanced for his age/size.

The San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser wrote Sunday evening that there were indications that Tyler Clippard would be on the move. Today, the Chronicle's John Shea wrote that Slusser had heard from multiple players Sunday that Clippard was held out of action because of a possible pending deal. The A's lost 4-3, and Clippard wasn't warming up in the ninth as he usually would do with the A's down a run and rallying."

The Chronicle also reports that either Eric O'Flaherty or Edward Mujica will close for the A's, at least for now. Drew Pomeranz would be a candidate to become closer if he stays in the bullpen. In that case, the A's would need another starting pitcher not later than Saturday, August 1. Barry Zito is among the names the A's would consider for a callup.

The A's acquired Clippard, 30, from the Washington Nationals for Yunel Escobar in the offseason. Escobar had two years and $14 million remaining on his deal at the time of the deal, the second year is a team option with a $1 million buyout. Clippard is earning $8.3 million in his final arbitration year. Clippard is 17-for-21 in save opportunities this season and has a 2.79 ERA in 38⅔ innings while striking out 38 and walking 21.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.