Mark Melancon agreed to a one-year, $5.4 million contract with the Pirates on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Melancon agreed to a one-year, $5.4 million contract with the Pirates on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Analysis:

Melancon's salary will more than double (from $2.6 million) in his second year of arbitration, following another outstanding season at the back of the Pirates' bullpen. The right-hander turned in a 1.90 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 33 saves and 14 holds (four blown saves) in 71.0 innings in 2014. Pittsburgh will face a tough decision next winter in Melancon's third year of arbitration, but for now, he's firmly locked in as the closer.