After blowing a league high 30 saves last season, Giants general manager Bobby Evans has made it clear time and again this offseason that finding a closer is priority number one.
It would appear Evans finally has his target, with Jon Heyman of MLB Network reporting on Saturday evening that the Giants and Washington Nationals are the frontrunners to sign top-tier free agent closer Mark Melancon.
Melancon, 31, is considered the third best closer on the open market behind Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen. The Giants reportedly met with Melancon a few weeks ago, and were also linked to Melancon at the trade deadline, with many believing they were ultimately outbid by the Nationals to secure his services.
Melancon is expected to sign a deal that will break the current reliever record of $50 million signed by Jonathan Papelbon in November, 2011. That record will also likely be broken by Jansen and Chapman.
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.