On-Air Now
On-Air Now
Listen Live from the Casino Matrix Studio

Want a Giants scapegoat? Don’t pick Mark Melancon

By

/


Like every other Giants fan this season, you’re probably justifiably frustrated at the way the first half of 2017 is panning out. You probably want someone to blame. I mean, somebody has to be at fault for a possible World Series contender’s epic tumble to last-place in the NL West, right?

There are multiple places to start. First, the offense — or lack there of. Or there’s the once prized-turned-regrettable starting rotation, who have yet to compromise for the two-month absence of their ace. The front office’s lackluster pursuit of a quality left-fielder and an inconsistent bullpen has played a significant role in the tailspin as well.

But if there’s one person that’s not to blame it’s Mark Melancon.

When the Giants first signed Melancon morale was high and the bitter taste of a Game 4 NLDS was beginning to dissolve. Bobby Evans paid a hefty price —  a four-year, $62 million contract — but after a gargantuan bullpen collapse that resulted in nine blown saves in September alone (and the aforementioned Game 4 disaster vs. the Cubs) the deal was considered money well spent and absolutely necessary.

Melancon was arguably the best closer on the market in the offseason. Between the Pirates and the Nationals in 2016, he went 47-for-51 in save opportunities while holding a 1.64 ERA. He was coming off back-to-back All-Star selections, including a 2015 season with Pittsburgh in which he converted 51-of-53 saves. Those are slam the door shut type of numbers.

However, his start with San Francisco hasn’t gone quite as smoothly, as he blew his first save in a 6-5 loss to Arizona — his first opportunity on Opening Day nonetheless. Visibly frustrated, Melancon rebounded with back-to-back saves in his next two appearances a week later.

But a dismal performance from Melancon since then has a left a discouraging attitude towards him through large pockets of the fan base. He’s blown four saves out of 15 opportunities this year with a 4.53 ERA. Some perspective: he blew four saves the entire last season and blew six total if you combine 2015 and 2016. When Ken Rosenthal’s “non-story” broke earlier in the week claiming that Melancon had “rubbed some teammates the wrong way,” Melancon found himself in the center of controversy and concerns were raised, although both Bruce Bochy and Giants teammates condemned the report as untrue. And when the Giants announced his retreat back to DL for the second time this season, exasperation resumed.

Melancon was first placed on the disabled list in May with a pronator strain. It was the first time in his eight-year career that he was placed on the DL and he was urgent on coming back fast, and he did. However, he’s acknowledged that he tried to come back too fast.

“Maybe I rushed coming off the DL a little too early,” Melancon said. “It was my first time on the DL and it felt really awkward being there. I just wanted to get back out there. It probably wasn’t the smartest decision to rush out.”

And while his one save in the month of June doesn’t say much, it’s imperative to realize just how little save opportunities Melancon sees anyways. With the Giants sitting at 30-51 on the year and just 8-19 in June, it’s rare to see Melancon come in with a game on the line. It’s borderline unrealistic to expect Melancon to waltz on the mound once a week and channel his inner Aroldis Chapman of some sort. Successful closers are the ones who are constantly in save situations for their team. In all of June, the Giants had just five of them.

Yet with both the lack of game time situations and the fact that he’s spent the last month pitching through discomfort, Melancon refuses to accept any excuse for his lack of production. He’s eager to play and contribute, regardless of the day or the Giants’ record. He’s been transparent during his tribulations this year, consistently putting the blame on himself while saying he needs to do better.

That kind of outlook is refreshing to both teammates and coaching staff alike, contradictory to finger-pointing and blame a-la former Chicago Cub, Miguel Montero, who was DFA’d after criticizing his fellow pitchers. Melancon came to San Francisco to win a championship, and while those dreams are all but dashed for now, his attitude hasn’t wavered. Considering he started 2017 with a possible playoff run envisioned, and a deep one at that, his approach is more than admirable.

Regardless of what they do before the trade deadline, the Giants have retained an accumulation of once-productive veterans that could possibly attempt a run in 2018, provided Evans makes some adjustments. They’ll want Melancon for that, and they’ll need him.

The positive note of Melancon’s injury is that it’s timely. Although he’s eligible to return from the DL before the All-Star Break, it’s expected he’ll use it as an extra cushion to heal. He received a platelet rich plasma injection earlier in the week in an attempt to ease the discomfort and you can be sure that he’ll be ready to compete no matter where the Giants are standing-wise upon his return.

It’s who he is, a competitor. And through the good and bad, he’s proven he’s here to stay.