AP photo: Former Washington Nationals pitcher Mark Melancon joins the San Francisco Giants as the team’s closer shown here striking out the last hitter of game two during the NLDS last season

by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

SAN FRANCISCO–There were three big name closers looking for a new deal, and right handed Mark Melancon(one of the three) was contracted by the San Francisco Giants for an estimated$62 million, for the next four seasons.

Last season with Pittsburgh and Washington he saved 47 of 51 games, in 71 1/3 innings pitched, struck out 65 and walked 12. The opposition had a .204 average against Melancon. In his career(8 years) 444 games, 168 saves and a 2.60 earned run average.

The other two  big closers left, who everybody expects to get even a bigger contract are: Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen

So no more Santiago Casilla, or Derek Law experiment, Melancon now owns the 9th inning for the Giants.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com