The Giants have their new closer for 2017.
With reports swirling over the last few days linking the San Francisco Giants to former Nationals closer Mark Melancon, the two sides finally agreed to a record setting deal on Monday morning pending a physical, first reported by Buster Olney of ESPN.
Sources: The Giants and Mark Melancon have agreed to a deal, pending a physical; Melancon is going through his physical.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 5, 2016
Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the deal is for four-years, $60-$65 million, which would be the most expensive contract for a reliever ever signed, breaking the previous record set when Jonathan Papelbon signed a $50 million deal with the Phillies in 2011.
The right-hander posted a 1.64 ERA while splitting time between Pittsburgh and Washington last season, finishing second in the major league’s with 47 saves. It marked the third season in a row Melancon has broken the 30 save mark, leading the MLB in 2015 with 51. He also struck out 8.2 batters per nine innings, earning his second consecutive and third overall All-Star nod.