Giants optimistic about signing Mark Melancon

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- There is a “strong belief” within the Giants organization that the club will get a deal done with closer Mark Melancon, according to Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area. Pavlovic adds that the team believed they were “very close” to an agreement with Melancon over the weekend.

The Giants and Nationals are pushing hardest to sign Melancon, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. Melancon has been a hot target for multiple clubs on this year’s free agent market, as clubs look for a cheaper back-end bullpen alternative to Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman.

San Francisco has been focused on adding a high-end closer all winter, and have seemed focused on Melancon rather than Chapman and Jansen. The Marlins, Yankees and Dodgers are also known to be looking for a closer, and will likely all pursue both Chapman and Jansen once Melancon comes off the board.

Melancon is expected to be the first major reliever to sign, and reportedly could command a deal in the 4-year, $60 million range.