Report: Rays considering reliever Tyler Clippard

At a time when teams are putting a huge emphasis on quality bullpen arms, the best from the 2015 free agent class is still unsigned -- righty Tyler Clippard.

The 30-year-old has been a consistent performer across his nine-year career, owning a 2.88 ERA across 489 appearances. In 2015, he pitched for Oakland A's before being flipped to the New York Mets at the trade deadline. As a setup man for the Mets, he tossed 32 1/3 innings, holding a 3.06 ERA over that span.

According to the Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, the Tampa Bay Rays could be interested in adding Clippard to their pen:

Add #Rays to list of teams considering RH Tyler Clippard as a late bullpen add. Can offer benefits of pitching at home, Florida tax break
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) February 5, 2016

As Topkin notes, Clippard is a Florida native -- he went to high school at New Port Richey.

The Rays could certainly use a bullpen arm, especially of Clippard's caliber. Earlier this offseason, they traded lefty Jake McGee to the Colorado Rockies in a package for Corey Dickerson.