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Report: Giants closing in on deal with Melancon

Brad Mills / Reuters

After a busy offseason prior to the the 2016 season, which included the signings of pitchers Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija to long-term deals, the San Francisco Giants appear ready to make some noise yet again.

The Giants are closing in on a deal with free-agent closer Mark Melancon, according to sources of FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

San Francisco felt it was close to getting the deal done over the weekend, CSN Bay Area's Alex Pavlovic reports, and there is a strong belief in the organization an agreement will be in place soon.

Melancon, 31, has drawn considerable interest throughout the offseason and appeared to be in the running for a four-year, $60-million deal.

The Washington Nationals reportedly made a four-year offer to the closer, according to Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post, but it fell short of the $60-million mark, which could have put the Giants in a better position to acquire his services.

A $60-million payday for Melancon may sound high, but according to one executive ESPN's Jerry Crasnick spoke to, another closer competing with Melancon on the free-agent market, Kenley Jansen, could earn a five-year deal worth $80 million-to-$90 million.

The Giants' bullpen imploded in the playoffs last season, allowing four runs in the ninth inning during a series-deciding National League Division Series loss, and blew more saves (30) than any other team in baseball during the regular season.

Over eight big-league seasons, Melancon has 168 saves to go along with a 2.60 ERA while pitching for five clubs.

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