The San Francisco Giants might be landing their closer in three-time All-Star Mark Melancon. The free agent has a deal with the Giants, pending a physical, Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports. Olney further reports that it's a four-year deal worth $62 million. That's a record for relievers in free agency, as the previous high was Jonathan Papelbon's four-year, $50 million deal with the Phillies.
Source: Mark Melancon's four-year, $62M deal with the Giants includes an opt-out after the second season.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 5, 2016
Melancon got a $20 million signing bonus, $8 million is deferred. Salaries: $4 million, $10 mil, $14 mil, $14 mil. Got full no trade clause.
— Alex Pavlovic (@AlexPavlovic) December 5, 2016
Melancon, 31, saved 47 games in 51 chances last season for the Pirates and Nationals. He pitched to a 1.64 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 65 strikeouts against only 12 walks in 71 1/3 innings. Over the past four seasons, Melancon has a 1.80 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 147 saves in 162 chances (91 percent). He's been the closer for four straight playoff teams, too.
Needless to say, Melancon is an elite-level closer. He might have been a bit overshadowed in free agency by Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen so far this offseason -- both will break Melancon's temporary record -- but he's been every bit the weapon those two have been in the past four seasons.
The Giants definitely need something at the back-end after last season, too. They converted only 58.9 percent of save chances. Only the Diamondbacks, Angels, Rockies, Twins and Reds were worse.
Plus, Sergio Romo, Javier Lopez and Santiago Casilla are free agents, so the Giants were left with Hunter Strickland, Derek Law and Will Smith at the back-end. With Melancon now on board, those guys sit in the setup roles. It's still possible the Giants look to add at least one more back-end type in front of Melancon.
It's worth noting here that Chapman is expected to sign with the Yankees, though the Marlins are pushing hard for him. That would leave Jansen as the last elite option in free agency.
If Melancon ends up with Giants as expected and Chapman goes to NYY, that leaves Nats, Marlins, Dodgers, possibly Cubs as interested teams.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 5, 2016
Keep in mind former Royals closer Greg Holland is out there, after having recovered from Tommy John surgery, though he's obviously a wild card. Speaking of the Royals, Jeff Passan of Yahoo gives us this nugget on Wade Davis:
With closer FA market about to roar, one name is buzzing among executives: Wade Davis. He is available and may be likeliest Royal to move.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 5, 2016
Davis is set to hit free agency after 2017 -- like about half of his teammates -- so maybe the Royals look to restock a bit while handing the closer keys to Kelvin Herrera.
As with everything this week, the closer situation is fluid. For now, though, Melancon is a Giant.
