SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The San Francisco Giants have signed All-Star right-handed pitcher Mark Melancon to a four-year contract, club Senior Vice President and General Manager Bobby Evans announced today. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.
"Adding a premier closer was our main priority this offseason," said Evans. "Mark solidifies the back end of our bullpen and fills a critical role. He brings talent, leadership and experience to our pitching staff."
Melancon, 31, comes to the Giants after splitting last season between the Pirates and Nationals, combining for a 2-2 record, a 1.64 ERA and going 47-for-51 in save opportunities in 75 relief appearances. His 47 saves last season were tied with Baltimore's Zach Britton and Los Angeles' Kenley Jansen for the second-most in the Majors behind New York's Jeurys Familia (51). Melancon ranked third in the National League in save percentage (92.2%) and he led all NL relievers with a 1.64 ERA.
The three-time All-Star (2013, 2015, 2016) has accumulated 147 saves since 2013, the third-most in MLB in that span (Craig Kimbrel, 167 and Kenley Jansen, 155). Since Melancon inherited the full-time closing role in Pittsburgh, taking over for Jason Grilli in mid-July 2013, he has secured more saves than any other pitcher in the Major Leagues (145). Melancon has saved at least 30 games in each of the last three seasons, including an MLB-best 51 in 2015.
A nine-year Major League veteran whose 444 big league games have spanned stops with the New York Yankees (2009-10), Houston Astros (2010-11), Boston Red Sox (2012), Pittsburgh Pirates (2013-16), and Washington Nationals (2016), Melancon owns a career 2.60 ERA, 168 saves, and 407 strikeouts.
The 2015 Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year, Melancon has pitched in the postseason the last four seasons, going 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA (4er, 10.0ip) and 1-for-2 in save chances in 10 games.