The San Francisco 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 on Monday.Its the richest contract ever for a closer, topping?Jonathan Papelbons four-year, $50 million deal with the Phillies from 2012-15 and Mariano Riveras $15 million annual value total in 2011-12 with the Yankees. But that record isnt expected to last long. Fellow closers?Aroldis Chapman?and Kenley Jansen?are set to sign new contracts this offseason.Really excited to have Mark, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said in a text message. Got to know him on a trip to Taiwan in 2011. Fills an important need for us. Great to get one of the premier closers in the game.Pending a physical, the pitcher will receive a $20 million signing bonus, $8 million of which is deferred, then salaries of $4 million in 2017, $10 million in 18 and $14 million in each of the 19 and 2020 seasons. He has a full no-trade clause and the chance to opt out after the first two years.With the bullpen largely to blame for their postseason demise -- and for the teams collapse during the second half of the season -- the Giants have prioritized the acquisition of an established closer for the 2017 season.The Giants bullpen failed to hold a 5-2 lead in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs, with five relievers unable to finish the game in an eventual 6-5 loss that ended their season.?Adding a premier closer was our main priority this offseason, general manager Bobby Evans said. 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, was acquired by the Washington Nationals at this seasons trade deadline from the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving Washington a consistent solution to its closer problem, in contrast to the performance of usurped Washington closer Papelbon.Melancon finished with a combined 47 saves and 1.64 ERA in 71 1/3 innings over his 75 appearances, having converted 30 of 33 save opportunities for the Pirates last season and then 17 of 18 for the Nationals.The trade from Pittsburgh to Washington for left-handed reliever Felipe Rivero and pitching prospect Taylor Hearn was the fourth of Melancons career.He was traded from the New York Yankees to Houston at the 2010 deadline, from the Astros to the Red Sox in the winter of 2011 and from Boston to Pittsburgh in the winter of 2012. As an eligible free agent, the righty made $9.65 million last season.Melancon led the majors with 51 saves in 2015.Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, speaking at baseballs winter meetings in National Harbor, Maryland, said Washington made an offer to Melancon.We gave him an offer that we felt was market value and what we were comfortable giving him. Youre talking about one of the elite closers in the game and a great teammate, Rizzo said. Conducted himself perfectly as a Washington National. At the end of the day, the Giants offered him more, and he took the deal. Thats what free agencys all about. ...?Theyve got themselves a great citizen and a great pitcher. Orlando Cepeda Jersey . All of the scoring came in the final 20:04. Lucic scored on a power play at 15:46 of the third period, when he tipped a shot over Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen for a 3-1 lead. Ken Boyer Jersey . As he recorded his 23rd and 24th points of the evening, a segment of the sellout Air Canada Centre crowd expressed their appreciation for the Raptors point guard with a smattering of MVP chants. http://www.authenticcardinalspro.com/cardinals-yadier-molina-jersey/ . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Custom St. Louis Cardinals Jerseys . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". Lou Brock Jersey . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. Daniel Ricciardo has paid tribute to legendary stuntman Evel Knievel by running a replica helmet at this weekends U.S. Grand Prix.Ricciardos new helmet features the famous star-spangled design Knievel wore throughout his career as well as the slogan Color me lucky, which was written on the daredevils helmet after he survived an accident while jumping the fountains outside Ceasars Palace in Las Vegas. Ricciardo also has matching racing boots to complete his new look.?Knievel was an American stunt rider who completed over 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps during his career. His most famous stunt was a failed attempt to jump Snake River Canyon on a steam-powered rocket bike in 1974, a feat accomplished this year by Hollywood stuntman Eddie Braun.dddddddddddd. Knievel died of pulmonary disease at the age of 69 in 2007.Although there is a rule stating F1 drivers must use the same helmet design throughout the season, the FIA has allowed one-off exemptions this year for novelty designs. Ricciardo is expected to continue to use the helmet throughout the Austin weekend. ' ' '
