Post by Rog on Jan 10, 2017 3:24:39 GMT -5
Mark Melancon's contract was briefly the highest of any relief pitcher when he signed it. The 4/$62 pact is still the third-highest. But it's a tiny bit cheaper than it first appeared. $8 million of the contract is deferred, from 2021 through 2028.
This season Mark receives a $12 million bonus and $4 million in salary, for a total of $16 million. His salaries the next three seasons then run $10 million, $14 million and $14 million. Then comes the deferred money at $1 million each of the next eight seasons.
Melancon can opt out after the 2018 season. My guess is that he would then keep all of the present bonus money in addition to his 2017 and 2018 salaries. That would mean $26 million. I'm also guessing he would forfeit the $8 million deferred money, although it's also possible he would get to keep half of it based on his having completed half the original contract. I doubt very much he would qualify for the entire $8 million deferred. It seems logical he would wind up with $26 million over the two seasons.
The Giants likely wind up with Mark for 2/$26 or 4/$62. In the latter case, only $54 million will be paid while Melancon is playing, with the other $8 million being deferred.
Certainly the Giants don't want Johnny Cueto to opt out at the end of this season or for Melancon to opt out a year later. But if they do so, at least the Giants would have some money available to plunge into what is considered a very good free agent off-season a year from now and an outstanding one a year later. And at the very least, the Giants bought time to develop another starter and a closer.
Signing one of the game's top dozen starters and one of its top five closers in just over a year's time is impressive. Throw in the steadiness of Matt Moore and the potential of Jeff Samardzija for the rotation and the ability to get out both lefty hitters and righty batters by Will Smith for the bullpen, and the Giants have made over five of their 12 pitching roster spots in strong fashion over the past two winters.
Now if they can just find a left fielder.
This season Mark receives a $12 million bonus and $4 million in salary, for a total of $16 million. His salaries the next three seasons then run $10 million, $14 million and $14 million. Then comes the deferred money at $1 million each of the next eight seasons.
Melancon can opt out after the 2018 season. My guess is that he would then keep all of the present bonus money in addition to his 2017 and 2018 salaries. That would mean $26 million. I'm also guessing he would forfeit the $8 million deferred money, although it's also possible he would get to keep half of it based on his having completed half the original contract. I doubt very much he would qualify for the entire $8 million deferred. It seems logical he would wind up with $26 million over the two seasons.
The Giants likely wind up with Mark for 2/$26 or 4/$62. In the latter case, only $54 million will be paid while Melancon is playing, with the other $8 million being deferred.
Certainly the Giants don't want Johnny Cueto to opt out at the end of this season or for Melancon to opt out a year later. But if they do so, at least the Giants would have some money available to plunge into what is considered a very good free agent off-season a year from now and an outstanding one a year later. And at the very least, the Giants bought time to develop another starter and a closer.
Signing one of the game's top dozen starters and one of its top five closers in just over a year's time is impressive. Throw in the steadiness of Matt Moore and the potential of Jeff Samardzija for the rotation and the ability to get out both lefty hitters and righty batters by Will Smith for the bullpen, and the Giants have made over five of their 12 pitching roster spots in strong fashion over the past two winters.
Now if they can just find a left fielder.