NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. _ After a season undermined by blown saves, the Giants made a decisive call to the bullpen at baseball's winter meetings. They agreed to terms with Mark Melancon, a three-time All-Star, and in doing so boldly addressed their most glaring offseason need.
The Giants confirmed Monday afternoon that they have a four-year deal in place, pending a physical. Multiple reports pegged the value of the contract at $62 million.
Melancon saved 47 games (in 51 chances) during a season split between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals. The right-hander posted a 1.64 ERA over 71 1/3 innings.
His 145 saves since July 24, 2013 are the most in MLB during that span
The Giants clearly need the help. San Francisco relievers went just 43 for 73 in save opportunities last season as closer Santiago Casilla and other late-inning options faltered.
Randy Winn, the former Giants outfielder, said Monday that Melancon's arrival could settle down the entire bullpen.
"When you have an established closer, and you have established roles, you give stability to your bullpen," Winn said from the lobby of the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. "It puts guys in positions where they're comfortable.
"As a player, you want to come to the ballpark knowing your role. Whether you agree with or not, that's something different, but if you know your role, you know how to prepare and you know when you're going to be used and how you're going to be used."
In all, the 30 blown saves set an embarrassing franchise record. The Giants' season ended predictably, with the bullpen allowing four runs in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the National League Division Series.
The Chicago Cubs roared back to win 6-5, leaving the Giants to wonder one last time where they'd be with a more reliable ninth-inning force.
As general manager Bobby Evans said in the aftermath: "We have to do everything we can to make that sure we're clear on who is finishing our games."
Enter Melancon, 31, whose resume suggests there will be far fewer frazzled nerves at AT&T Park this season.
The native of Wheat Ridge, Colo., faced 270 batters last season and allowed just three home runs. Terms were not immediately disclosed, but his price tag made him a more attractive target than pricier targets Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen. Even though four years and $62 million would be a record deal for closers, it's a mark unlikely to survive the week.
Melancon relies on a 92 mph cut fastball, which he threw about 63 percent of the time last season, according to BrooksBaseball.net. The pitch tracking website notes that Melancon's cutter generates many more ground balls compared to other MLB cutters.
Melancon also mixes in an 82 mph curveball with a 12-to-6 break. That's the pitch he leans on in strikeout situations.
"Whenever we get to two strikes, guys know the curve is coming, and they still can't hit it," catcher Chris Stewart once said. "They still can't lay off it, either. It starts at their belts and falls in the dirt."
Acquired in a deadline deal with Pittsburgh last July, Melancon went 1-1 with 17 saves and a 1.82 ERA in 30 games with the Nationals. According to Elias, he is the first player to save 17 games for a team after having 30 saves for another team earlier that season.
Melancon struck out 27 and walked three in Washington. Over his final five appearances, he allowed just one base runner: a Christian Yelich single.
While Melancon tries to keep the ninth inning from being an adventure, he's up for anything after the final out. He swam with great white sharks in New Zealand while serving as a Major League ambassador to the country in 2011.
Melancon also spent two weeks conducting baseball clinics in South Africa in December 2013, along with his wife, Mary Catherine. In his Twitter profile, he describes himself this way: "Been known to dive with Great Whites and walk with Cheetahs! Jesus Believer, Husband, Father, Strike thrower, & thrill seeker."
The Giants, meanwhile, are hoping the acquisition of Melancon will help the rest of the late-inning crew fall into place.
"I think that the bullpen performs at a much-higher level when you know who your ninth-inning guy is. I think that puts everybody at ease," Evans said in October.
"It helps (manager Bruce) Bochy, as he defines roles. I think with ambiguity, it creates tensions and unknowns that detract from performance that ultimately lead to struggles."
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