nydailynews.com file photo: Aroldis Champman is in the Hall of Flame for being the hardest throwing pitcher in MLB is back in New York with the Yankees

Recent deals that sent pitchers Aroldis Chapman of the New York Yankees and Matt Melancon to the San Francisco Giants have their new respective clubs excited to see what each closer can do once the 2017 season gets started. Chapman’s story started last season when he came over to the Chicago Cubs mid season from the New York Yankees as a rental type pitcher and won a World Series for the Cubs. The Yankees knew he was a free agent after the series and started shopping for him and got their close back. The Cubs did not want to pay what Chapman was asking for and didn’t want a three up and three down pitcher but one who could come in the eighth and close the door as well.

San Francisco Giant reliever Mark Melancon was terrific over the last three or four years he started his career with the Houston Astros and he got traded over to the Boston Red Sox and he was with the Red Sox for one year and he had a bad season at Fenway Park. That’s not unusual for players right hand pitchers that’s a hitters park the wall is right behind your shoulder. Melancon pitched with the Washington Nationals last season and now will relieve in San Francisco.

Jerry Feitelberg is a beat writer covering the Oakland A’s during the regular season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com