Looking at the ninth-inning market beyond the big-name free agents

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Mark Melancon is gone, lured to San Francisco by a four-year, $62 million free agent deal. He was a great fit in the Nationals clubhouse and his 147 saves over the past four years and significant postseason experience will help the Giants solve the bullpen problems that derailed their second half of 2016.

It's no surprise that Melancon was the first of the three top free agent closers to come off the board. He won't be the most expensive - though his $62 million contract is a record for a reliever, it's only expected to last until the other two big-name closers ink pacts - but he's certainly viewed as the safest and most economical choice.

That leaves two names looming large for the Nationals' ninth-inning vacancy: former Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen and ex-Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman. It's any guess how high teams will be willing to go on the duo, but Chapman is making overtures about a six-year megadeal that may have already scared off the Cubs, for whom he helped to a World Series title after a mid-season trade from the Yankees.

Chapman has long been the apple of Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo's eye. But would the Nationals, with holes to fill and payroll rising, commit significant dollars to a ninth-inning pitcher? Economics could take them out of the running for Chapman or Jansen. With significant dollars committed to Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Ryan Zimmerman for an extended period, and with Bryce Harper a free agent after the 2018 season, there are hard choices to be made.

So who will trot out of the bullpen to work the ninth inning in save situations for the Nats next season?

Rizzo has several options, including trading for an established closer, making a deal to bring a guy who currently works the eighth inning into D.C. to take on a more prominent role or promoting one of his young pitchers who are already on the 40-man roster to inherit Melancon's duties.

There are a few veteran closers who could be acquired via trade, and at least two of them have already been linked to the Nationals. The Royals may want to deal right-hander Wade Davis, 31, who had a 1.87 ERA and 27 saves before a lingering forearm strain interrupted his 2016 campaign. He's owed $10 million next year, the last of a seven-year, $35.1 million contract. Then there's White Sox righty David Robertson, 31, who is halfway through his four-year, $46 million deal. Robertson has saved 156 games over the past three seasons, but if the White Sox are reloading, they may want to cut salary and turn the ninth inning over to a less expensive option.

Keep Greg Holland's name in mind. He's a former Royals closer who underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2015. Before then, he reeled off seasons of 32, 46 ad 47 saves. Holland, 31, has held showcases for scouts and executives to show he's healthy and ready to contribute. But any foray toward the veteran would be a speculative buy.

Maybe Rizzo could get the Pirates to part with lefty Tony Watson, 31, the guy who took over the closer's role once Melancon departed for D.C. Fifteen of Watson's 20 career saves came last season, but there's always the chance he's a guy who could flourish in the ninth. And he's compiled a lifetime 2.56 ERA in 403 games over six seasons. Did I mention he's a southpaw?

There are plenty of eighth-inning guys out there who would love the opportunity to set up for a contending club. Nothing is more frustrating for a pitcher than waiting in the wings for an opportunity to present itself. When talking about young in-house options like Blake Treinen, Koda Glover and Sammy Solis, Rizzo is fond of pointing out that every future closer has to save his first game sometime. Perhaps there's some unmined gold to be prospected.

The Royals have flamethrower Kelvin Herrera, he of the 100 mph fastball, setting up. If K.C. really wants to retool and shed some salary, maybe the $5.3 million MLBTradeRumors.com projects Herrera, 26, will earn through arbitration is a tad too rich. The Royals also have a former closer, Joaquim Soria, 32, working in a setup role. He has two seasons of more than 40 saves on his resume and 202 saves overall.

Righty Nate Jones, 30, has two seasons left on the three-year, $8.5 million deal he inked before the 2016 season, is one of those closers-in-waiting, with Robertson blocking his path. The White Sox aren't going to move both Jones and Robertson, but maybe Jones comes cheaper in a deal (and could be under contract through 2021 if team mutual options are exercised for a total of $11.15 million).

Right-hander Brad Brach is blocked in Baltimore by closer Zach Britton. But the Orioles have created a dominating bullpen - featuring righties Mychal Givens, Darren O'Day and Brach to get to Britton - and since Brach is again arbitration-eligible after earning $1.25 million last year (and under team control through 2018), there's no reason to break up the band.

Scratch righty Tyler Thornburg, who was acquired this morning from the Btewers by the Red Sox. Funny team, Miwaukee. Seems the Brewers are always willing to deal - even when they have controllable, reasonably priced assets.

There are other former closers looking for work, but it's doubtful they're the kind that would interest the Nats, at least for ninth-inning work. Brad Ziegler, 37, is a free agent who has been connected to the Nats. He's a sidearmer - something most National League East teams haven't seen a lot of - and is a good clubhouse presence who has been lauded for his work with younger players. He could be a mentor to the youngsters that could someday supplant him. Righty Neftali Feliz, 27, another free agent, saved 72 games for the Rangers from 2010-11 before injuries derailed his career. Free agent right-hander Koji Uehara saved 77 games for the Red Sox over the last four seasons, but may be running out of gas at 41. Still, the guy who got the last out of the 2013 World Series offers some unusual deception and pinpoint placement.

So if Rizzo wants options, he has options. Internal and external. Guys who want a mint and those he can get on the cheap. If he won't back up the Brinks truck for Chapman or Jansen, he can make a buy-low signing of a pitcher with experience to bridge the gap until one of the youngsters are deemed ready.