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The San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals are still pursuing reliever Mark Melancon reports Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com Crasnick notes that the deal will be around the $60M mark over 4 years. Previous reports mentioned the Colorado Rockies hot on Melancon’s trail as well.
The 31-year old landed in Washington at the trade deadline this past season after being dealt by Pittsburgh in exchange for LHP Felipe Rivero, pitching prospect Taylor Hearn, and cash. Over the course of 2016, Melancon recorded a 1.64 ERA with a 2.24 FIP and 47 saves.
While Melancon doesn’t have the youth or velocity of those opposing him in the trade market, he is one of the bangs for team’s buck out there; Melancon has the fourth highest WAR among relievers. The three in front of him? You guess it: Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, and Dellin Betances. With Chapman and Jansen drawing the attention of team’s willing to cut a substantial nine figure check, it seems only right that the National and Giants fight for the three-time All-Star. Therefore, Melancon is the Costco brand reliever: ridiculously underpriced for good quality that with go the distance.