Nats need a new closer: Melancon signs with Giants

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Nationals have employed four different experienced closers in the last four years, and it appears they'll have to employ a fifth one next season.

Mark Melancon, whom the Nationals acquired in July to fortify a tenuous position at the back end of their bullpen, has agreed to a deal with the Giants, according to ESPN's Buster Olney. And if that deal is finalized after Melancon passes a physical, the Nats will be left searching elsewhere for a ninth-inning pitching option.

Melancon reportedly will get a four-year contract with San Francisco, likely for something in the range of $60 million. The Nationals did make an offer to retain the 31-year-old, according to sources, but it appears they couldn't match the Giants' package.

Update: The Giants have announced a deal with Melancon, pending a physical. Melancon will earn $62 million over four years, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.

There was significant interest in bringing Melancon back, both for the job he did after his acquisition from the Pirates (17 saves in 18 attempts, 1.82 ERA in 30 appearances) and for the way he blended right into the clubhouse and became a popular teammate.

But the Nationals, like many clubs, have always been hesitant to devote long-term financial resources for relievers, given the volatility of the position. With a 1.80 ERA and 147 saves over the last four seasons, Melancon may be a rare exception to the rule, a closer who can sustain his success for a long time. But that track record also made him a valuable commodity to a host of clubs, and the Giants (who dealt with a shaky closer situation all season) appear to have surfaced as the club most willing to pay the price.

While Melancon may have been the Nationals' preferred choice, they do still have options. They are expected to be in the mix for the two other big-name free agent closers, Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen, but both figure to command larger deals.

The Nationals also figure to explore the trade market for a closer, with the Royals' Wade Davis and the White Sox's David Robertson among those who could be available.

Whether they end up acquiring one of those veterans or take a chance on one of their inexperienced in-house options, the Nationals will enter 2017 with yet another new closer. That pitcher will follow in the footsteps of Rafael Soriano (2013-14), Drew Storen (2014-15), Jonathan Papelbon (2015-16) and Melancon (2016) as pitchers who take the mound in the ninth inning in D.C.