SPORTS

Monday's roundup: Melancon to Giants on record contract

Associated Press
The San Francisco Giants said Monday that they have agreed to a $62 million, four-year contract with closer Mark Melancon, pending a physical.


The Giants landed the top-tier closer they have been seeking for months, agreeing to a four-year, $62 million contract with right-hander Mark Melancon.

It’s the richest contract ever for a closer, topping Jonathan Papelbon’s four-year, $50 million deal with the Phillies from 2012-15 and Mariano Rivera’s $15 million annual value total in 2011-12 by the Yankees.

The Giants blew 32 saves this past season, the last in a 6-5 Game 4 loss to the Cubs that ended their season.

Pending a physical, the pitcher receives a $20 million signing bonus, $8 million of which is deferred. Melancon is slated for $14 million in each of the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He has a full no-trade clause.

Melancon has saved at least 30 games in each of the past three seasons, recording a majors-best 51 in 2015. He went 47 for 51 in save opportunities in 75 relief appearances last season with Pittsburgh and Washington, tied for second-most saves in baseball.

Other signings

The Dodgers signed free-agent left-hander Rich Hill, 36, to a three-year, $48 million contract after he went 3-2 with a 1.83 ERA in six starts with the team he joined at the trade deadline.

Hill (Michigan) was 12-5 with a 2.12 ERA in 20 starts for the Dodgers and A’s last season. His ERA was second-best in the majors behind Clayton Kershaw’s 1.69.

... The Blue Jays signed utility player Steve Pearce, 33, to a two-year, $12.5 million deal.

... Former Tigers reliever Joaquin Benoit, 39, and the Phillies reportedly have agreed to a one-year, $7.5 million contract.

... Carlos Beltran, 40, and the Astros finalized a one-year, $16 million contract.

Around the horn

National League Cy Young winner Max Scherzer and MVPs Buster Posey and Andrew McCutchen are among the top players confirmed to play for the United States at the World Baseball Classic.

Baseball officials announced the initial list of 30 players (24 All-Stars) set to participate in the tournament, which takes place in March.

... The Red Sox exercised the 2018 option on manager John Farrell’s contract.

... Under Armour will take over as the supplier of MLB uniforms in 2020.