NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. – Albeit too late to save them this year, the San Francisco Giants got their closer.
All-Star righthander Mark Melancon and the Giants reached agreement on a $62 million, four-year contract Monday.
As baseball's winter meetings heated up, lefty Rich Hill re-signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for $48 million over three years.
Melancon, 31, received the richest deal ever for a reliever. Because he was traded during the season, from Pittsburgh to Washington, the Giants don't lose their first-round draft pick next June as compensation.
The Giants bullpen blew 32 saves in 2016. Their woes peaked in their final playoff loss to the Cubs, when Chicago scored four runs in the ninth inning against five relievers.
Melancon posted 47 saves and a 1.64 ERA in 2016, a year after leading the majors with 51 saves for the Pirates.
Hill, 36, found stability and a lot more in Los Angeles. He was on the scrap heap in 2015, pitching in independent ball for the Long Island Ducks, before resurrecting his career.
He went a combined 12-5 with a 2.12 ERA in 20 starts for the Dodgers and Oakland last season.
