Pitcher Mark Melancon, Giants agree to record four-year deal

Melancon’s contract is the most expensive in history for a closer, topping Jonathan Papelbon’s record (four years, $50M) for most guaranteed money in a deal.

“When you invest heavily in your rotation, when you invest heavily in your bullpen and you invest heavily in multi-year (extensions) with your shortstop, your first baseman, your catcher … at some point you need your farm system to raise up”, he said, citing second baseman Joe Panik as an example. They just found their closer in Melancon, and a reliable one. He has a full no-trade clause. Melacon’s best season was in 2015 when he had 51 saves with a 3-2 record and a 2.23 ERA for the Pirates.

Like Chapman, Melancon was traded prior to the non-waiver deadline, meaning he was ineligible to receive a qualifying offer and thus will not require the forfeiture of a draft pick upon signing with a team. “We also had talked with Melancon”, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.

Another factor in play here: Washington now has a bullpen issue. “He brings talent, leadership and experience to our pitching staff”.

Maybe Rizzo could get the Pirates to part with lefty Tony Watson, 31, the guy who took over the closer’s role once Melancon departed for D.C. Fifteen of Watson’s 20 career saves came last season, but there’s always the chance he’s a guy who could flourish in the ninth. Their woes peaked in their final loss, to the Cubs in Game 4 of the NL playoffs, when Chicago scored four runs in the ninth inning against five relievers. Currently, Sergio Romo, Javier Lopez and Santiago Casilla are roaming the free agent waters.

A person familiar with the negotiations says reliever Joaquin Benoit and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a $7.5 million, one-year contract.

Hill gets a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of $12 million next year, $16 million in 2018 and $18 million in 2019. “He’s been shut down by design, for now, but we feel really good about where he is at”.

The players’ pool is formed from 50 percent of the gate receipts from the Wild Card Games; 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first three games of the Division Series; 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first four games of the League Championship Series; and 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first four games of the World Series.

Combined with the first deal of this offseason, the Giants have spent $313 million the past two offseasons. That would leave Jansen as the last elite option in free agency.

Admittedly, it’s fun to have a lights-out closer that could fill some seats and nasty set-up man, but even the three-headed monster wasn’t beneficial when the offense, rotation and other relievers can’t get the job done.

Melancon tweeted that he was excited to be joining the Giants. By the time his two-month stint in D.C. came to a close, Melancon had notched a 1.82 ERA and 0.809 WHIP.

In 19 seasons, the nine-time All-Star has a.281 batting average with 421 home runs and 1,536 RBIs.