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MLB 2017: Top 10 relievers

By Joshua Sadlock

Jul 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) reacts after the game ending throw by second baseman Jonathan Schoop (not pictured) in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Los Angeles Angels 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) reacts after the game ending throw by second baseman Jonathan Schoop (not pictured) in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Los Angeles Angels 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 5, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Mark Melancon (43) throws to the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Mark Melancon (43) throws to the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Mark Melancon, San Francisco Giants

It’s hard to imagine that we live in a world where $15 million a year for per player who appears in less than half of his team’s games is a bit of a bargain, but Mark Melancon’s $61 million contract with the Giants is over $20 million less than the contracts signed by Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman this winter. Over the past four years, Melancon has been just as good as the other two elite closers on the free-agent market this offseason.

Melancon does not have the eye-popping strikeout totals of some of the other All-Star relievers on this list, but his cut fastball is very difficult for hitters to hit hard. He has made 297 appearances since the start of the 2013 season and has a 1.80 ERA in 290 innings. Melancon has also allowed only 10 home runs in that time period. Jansen has allowed 21, and Chapman has allowed 13 in over 40 fewer innings.

The main priority for the Giants this offseason was adding a closer to upgrade their awful bullpen. They made Melancon their top priority in free agency, and were able to get a deal done quickly. He is a steady closer with metronome-like consistency.

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