Call to the pen
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San Francisco Giants 2017 Team Preview

By Anthony Sosa

Sep 28, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; during a pitching change San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (35) and second baseman Joe Panik (12) and first baseman Brandon Belt (9) and third baseman Conor Gillaspie (21) talk at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; during a pitching change San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (35) and second baseman Joe Panik (12) and first baseman Brandon Belt (9) and third baseman Conor Gillaspie (21) talk at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 25, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Mark Melancon throws in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs during a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Mark Melancon throws in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs during a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

The Additions

Closer:

With plenty of closers on the free-agent market in the offseason, the Giants didn’t struggle signing one. They struck a deal with former Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals’ closer Mark Melancon. The two sides agreed on a four-year, $62 million deal.

In the past three seasons, Melancon has proven that he is one of the best closers in the game. He has 131 saves in that span. In 2016, he finished tied for second in most saves in MLB and in 2015 he led all of baseball in saves with 51.

Melancon holds a 2.60 ERA in his eight-year career. He also has 168 saves and 407 strikeouts. Unlike most closers, Melancon isn’t a big strikeout pitcher. He succeeds as a pitch-to-contact pitcher and that shouldn’t change with the Giants. AT&T Park, a big-time pitcher’s ballpark, works out great for a closer like Melancon.

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Backup Catcher:

It’s only a matter of time before Buster Posey becomes a full-time first baseman because of his leg problems. That won’t happen this season or for the next few. The Giants need to preserve Posey behind the plate for as long as possible.

The Giants added former Rockies catcher Nick Hundley in the offseason. They signed him to a one-year, $2 million deal. The addition gives the Giants some depth at catcher and allows the team to use Posey at first more often if the need arises.

In his career, Hundley owns a slash line of .250/.303/.404 with 72 home runs and 305 RBIs. He spent a majority of his nine-year career with the San Diego Padres. Hundley’s also played for the Baltimore Orioles and most recently the Colorado Rockies.

Veteran Guys:

The Giants signed a few veteran players in the offseason to minor league deals with spring training invites. Those veterans include former 2007 NL MVP Jimmy Rollins, utility infielder Aaron Hill and 2012 World Series champion with the Giants Michael Morse.

It’s uncertain if the any of the three will make the Giants roster in 2017. As the Giants know well from their three World Series championships since 2010, a team can never have too much veteran leadership. Any or all of the three would bring a great presence to the clubhouse.

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