Giants pursuing elite free-agent closer

Club met this week with representatives for Chapman, Jansen, Melancon

November 10th, 2016

The Giants are moving aggressively in their pursuit of a top-tier closer this offseason, as club officials met this week with representatives for free agents , and , according to MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi.
The trio of relievers the club met with this week are expected to command high-dollar deals.
Chapman, who helped the Cubs defeat the Giants in the National League Division Series, is reportedly seeking a contract of around $100 million. MLB Network's Ken Rosenthal has speculated that Chapman's deal will set the market, as the 100-mph fireballer is considered the most sought after. Jansen presents intrigue, as he would give the Giants a two-fold win by prying him away from the four-time NL West champion Dodgers.

The Giants had the fifth-highest payroll in 2016, per Cots Baseball Contracts, and they have displayed the financial flexibility to be aggressive in what is a remarkably deep class of game-changing relievers. Last year, San Francisco spent a combined $220 million on starters and , who proved to be worthy additions.
Following their early exit this postseason -- one that ended on their 32nd blown save, worst in MLB -- the Giants have been vocal about their plans to restructure their bullpen, particularly at closer.
San Francisco's late-game headaches translated into what nearly became one of the worst second-half collapses in history. After surging to the Majors' best record at the All-Star break, the Giants limped to a 30-42 second-half record, and they just barely clung to the second NL Wild Card spot.