Tweet
San Francisco Giants, closer Mark Melancon reach deal
The San Francisco Giants landed the top-tier closer they have been seeking for months, agreeing to a four-year, $62 million contract with right-hander Mark Melancon on Monday.
It's the richest contract ever for a closer, topping Jonathan Papelbon's four-year, $50 million deal with the Phillies from 2012-15 and Mariano Rivera's $15 million annual value total in 2011-12 with the Yankees. But that record isn't expected to last long. Fellow closers Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen are set to sign new contracts this offseason.
"Really excited to have Mark,'' Giants manager Bruce Bochy said in a text message. "Got to know him on a trip to Taiwan in 2011. Fills an important need for us. Great to get one of the premier closers in the game.''
Pending a physical, the pitcher will receive a $20 million signing bonus, $8 million of which is deferred, then salaries of $4 million in 2017, $10 million in '18 and $14 million in each of the '19 and 2020 seasons. He has a full no-trade clause and the chance to opt out after the first two years.
Melancon, 31, was acquired by the Washington Nationals at this season's trade deadline from the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving Washington a consistent solution to its closer problem, in contrast to the performance of usurped Washington closer Papelbon.
Melancon finished with a combined 47 saves and 1.64 ERA in 71 1/3 innings over his 75 appearances, having converted 30 of 33 save opportunities for the Pirates last season and then 17 of 18 for the Nationals.
Melancon led the majors with 51 saves in 2015.
It's the richest contract ever for a closer, topping Jonathan Papelbon's four-year, $50 million deal with the Phillies from 2012-15 and Mariano Rivera's $15 million annual value total in 2011-12 with the Yankees. But that record isn't expected to last long. Fellow closers Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen are set to sign new contracts this offseason.
"Really excited to have Mark,'' Giants manager Bruce Bochy said in a text message. "Got to know him on a trip to Taiwan in 2011. Fills an important need for us. Great to get one of the premier closers in the game.''
Pending a physical, the pitcher will receive a $20 million signing bonus, $8 million of which is deferred, then salaries of $4 million in 2017, $10 million in '18 and $14 million in each of the '19 and 2020 seasons. He has a full no-trade clause and the chance to opt out after the first two years.
Melancon, 31, was acquired by the Washington Nationals at this season's trade deadline from the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving Washington a consistent solution to its closer problem, in contrast to the performance of usurped Washington closer Papelbon.
Melancon finished with a combined 47 saves and 1.64 ERA in 71 1/3 innings over his 75 appearances, having converted 30 of 33 save opportunities for the Pirates last season and then 17 of 18 for the Nationals.
Melancon led the majors with 51 saves in 2015.