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MLB Free Agency: Best Fits for Mark Melancon

By Tim Haberin

Oct 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Mark Melancon (43) pitches during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game five of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Mark Melancon (43) pitches during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game five of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

The market for closers is buzzing in MLB free agency, and though Chapman and Jansen are getting more of the attention, Mark Melancon is a bona fide option in his own right. Where might he end up?

Much has been made about MLB teams’ renewed focus on building their bullpens. In case anyone had forgotten, this year’s postseason highlighted just how valuable a true lockdown reliever is to a club with title aspirations. Despite a hiccup in Game 7, the World Series-winning Chicago Cubs owe much of their success to closer Aroldis Chapman, while their opponents the Cleveland Indians rode Andrew Miller‘s dominance (for multiple innings at a time) to the AL pennant.

The good news for franchises looking to boost the back-end of their bullpen this offseason is that in an otherwise meager group, this year’s free agent class has its share of high-quality closers. Naturally, most of the attention has centered on Chapman and Kenley Jansen. Both will command big contracts that will ultimately price out a lot of teams. But there is another closer on the market with a very impressive track record who should cost a good deal less than his peers: Mark Melancon.

Melancon has somewhat quietly been one of the game’s most effective closers over the past couple seasons. Between 2015 and 2016 he notched 98 saves, more than any other pitcher in baseball. He also blew only six chances over that span while posting a 1.95 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. In 2015 he led both leagues with 51 saves for the Pirates, which he followed up with 47 more saves this year split between Pittsburgh and the Washington Nationals after a midseason trade.

Chapman and Jansen have a bit of an age advantage over Melancon, who will be 32 by the time next season rolls around. The other two will both be 29. However, that could mean that Melancon might take a shorter-term deal, which should be more agreeable to some teams. Already there has been some talk about Chapman looking for something in the five-year, $100 million range. Seeing that, you can really understand the appeal of a Mark Melancon.

Multiple teams have checked in on Melancon and he is going to have his pick of several good situations. But which clubs would present the best fits for the veteran closer? Here are five to keep an eye on.

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