Melancon will stabilize, improve Giants' pen in 2017

The San Francisco Giants' even-year streak of World Series championships was broken last season, and, frankly, that could be a good thing.

The club seemed well on its way to a division title, eclipsing the 50-win mark in the first half with a 57-33 record. It couldn't be sustained, however, as the Giants suffered a second-half collapse, stumbling to a 30-42 record. Despite the backslide, the team finished the season with 87 wins, but succumbed to the eventual World Series champion Chicago Cubs in the NLDS.

The Bruce Bochy-led club was the victim of a faulty bullpen all season. To say the Giants struggled to close out games is an understatement, as 2016's group combined for the league's most blown saves (30), ninth-lowest WAR (2.1), and the fewest strikeouts (420). To improve upon this, the front office signed Mark Melancon - one of the most reliable closers in baseball over the past few years - to a four-year, $62-million deal.

Here's how his presence will stabilize and improve the Giants' pen, and could lead to better overall results for the entire team in 2017:

Track record

Since becoming a closer in 2013, Melancon's impact has been substantial, as he's combined for a 1.80 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and nine WAR on his way to collecting 147 saves. Further adding to his impressive track record is his ability to limit home runs, as he's issued only 10 in 290 innings. Simply put, Melancon has top-10 closer value this season and should carry it forward.

One worry clouding his success is his drop in velocity. According to FanGraphs, his cutter has dipped each year, down from 92.5 mph in 2011 to 90.9 mph last season. Whether it affects him remains to be seen, but Melancon has maintained his strikeout rate (8.2 K/9) and generated his highest amount of soft contact last season at 30.4 percent. His positives certainly outweigh any negatives heading into 2017.

Above-average supporting cast

Although 2016's group of relievers was labeled as the source of the Giants' struggles, a few solid contributors from last year remain. Hunter Strickland, Derek Law, and Will Smith are all above-average relievers who carry value. The trio combined for a 2.49 FIP and 2.5 WAR last season, which is a solid indication they can have success in 2017.

Losing Sergio Romo and Santiago Casilla hurts the depth, but Melancon, Law, Strickland, and Smith, are viewed as better options, and the Giants' pen could improve even more if one or two replacement-level relievers are added by the time the season starts. One unknown who could provide value is prospect Joan Gregorio. The 25-year-old, who collected 10.2 K/9 last year in the minors, seems destined for the pen and has the potential to be another intriguing piece added to the Giants' group of relievers.

Home-field advantage

One aspect that will contribute to Melancon's value is AT&T Park in San Francisco. The pitcher-friendly ballpark is a treat to any hurler who signs there. That doesn't necessarily make them unhittable, but it's definitely a plus. While playing in another pitcher-friendly environment at PNC Park in Pittsburgh from 2013-2016, Melancon combined for a 1.62 ERA in 155 games, with 74 saves and an 0.84 WHIP. Since 2013, only 1.8 percent of Melancon's fly balls have traveled more than 400 feet, according to Scott Spratt of FanGraphs, which should bode extremely well for him and the Giants next year.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)