RHP Mark Melancon strikes 2-year deal with Arizona Diamondbacks
Dec 1, 2021, 2:35 PM | Updated: Dec 16, 2021, 8:42 pm
San Diego Padres pitcher Mark Melancon throws to an Arizona Diamondbacks batter during the ninth inning during a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Relief pitcher Mark Melancon and the Arizona Diamondbacks have reportedly struck a two-year deal, confirms Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro.
The agreement is worth $14 million with a third-year club option of $5 million and a $2 million buyout, Gambadoro adds.
The deal with the right-hander was first reported by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
Melancon, 36, is coming off the fourth All-Star campaign of his lengthy career. He led MLB with 39 saves for the San Diego Padres in 2021, making 64 appearances and finishing 53 of those.
He posted a 2.23 ERA and 1.222 WHIP.
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Before playing for San Diego last year, Melancon previously spent time with the New York Yankees (2009-10), Houston Astros (2010-11), Boston Red Sox (2012), Pittsburgh Pirates (2013-16), Washington Nationals (2016), San Francisco Giants (2017-19) and Atlanta Braves (2019-20).
His prior All-Star seasons came in Pittsburgh (2013, 2015) and Washington (2016).
The Diamondbacks are restructuring their bullpen that last year had the second-worst reliever ERA of 5.08.
Arizona did not have a reliever post more than six saves during its 52-110 run last season.
The D-backs’ agreement with Melancon comes before the current Collective Bargaining Agreement ends on Wednesday and the league braces for a lockout following tepid negotiations.
