had no interest in playing out the option year of his contract

The San Francisco Giants landed the top-tier closer they have been seeking for months, agreeing to a four-year, $62 million contract with right-hander Mark Melancon on Monday.Its the richest contract ever for a closer, topping?Jonathan Papelbons four-year, $50 million deal with the Phillies from 2012-15 and Mariano Riveras $15 million annual value total in 2011-12 with the Yankees. But that record isnt expected to last long. Fellow closers?Aroldis Chapman?and Kenley Jansen?are set to sign new contracts this offseason.Really excited to have Mark, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said in a text message. Got to know him on a trip to Taiwan in 2011. Fills an important need for us. Great to get one of the premier closers in the game.Pending a physical, the pitcher will receive a $20 million signing bonus, $8 million of which is deferred, then salaries of $4 million in 2017, $10 million in 18 and $14 million in each of the 19 and 2020 seasons. He has a full no-trade clause and the chance to opt out after the first two years.With the bullpen largely to blame for their postseason demise -- and for the teams collapse during the second half of the season -- the Giants have prioritized the acquisition of an established closer for the 2017 season.The Giants bullpen failed to hold a 5-2 lead in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs, with five relievers unable to finish the game in an eventual 6-5 loss that ended their season.?Adding a premier closer was our main priority this offseason, general manager Bobby Evans said. Mark solidifies the back end of our bullpen and fills a critical role. He brings talent, leadership and experience to our pitching staff.Melancon, 31, was acquired by the Washington Nationals at this seasons trade deadline from the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving Washington a consistent solution to its closer problem, in contrast to the performance of usurped Washington closer Papelbon.Melancon finished with a combined 47 saves and 1.64 ERA in 71 1/3 innings over his 75 appearances, having converted 30 of 33 save opportunities for the Pirates last season and then 17 of 18 for the Nationals.The trade from Pittsburgh to Washington for left-handed reliever Felipe Rivero and pitching prospect Taylor Hearn was the fourth of Melancons career.He was traded from the New York Yankees to Houston at the 2010 deadline, from the Astros to the Red Sox in the winter of 2011 and from Boston to Pittsburgh in the winter of 2012. As an eligible free agent, the righty made $9.65 million last season.Melancon led the majors with 51 saves in 2015.Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, speaking at baseballs winter meetings in National Harbor, Maryland, said Washington made an offer to Melancon.We gave him an offer that we felt was market value and what we were comfortable giving him. Youre talking about one of the elite closers in the game and a great teammate, Rizzo said. Conducted himself perfectly as a Washington National. At the end of the day, the Giants offered him more, and he took the deal. Thats what free agencys all about. ...?Theyve got themselves a great citizen and a great pitcher. Adidas Stan Smith Canada Online .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Cheap Adidas Stan Smith Shoes . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. http://www.cheapstansmithcanada.com/ . The 28-year-old from Calgary matched his career best after missing just one shot in his two rounds of shooting in the mens 10-kilometre sprint competition. Smith finished in 23 minutes 15. Adidas Stan Smith Womens Canada . He just needed to be his best twisting, turning acrobatic self. "I didnt need to be anybody else, I just needed to be myself and be aggressive," said Burks, who scored a career-high 34 points to spark the Utah Jazz to a 118-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. Adidas Stan Smith Shoes Canada .C. Lions has come to an end. Banks told TSN on Jan 2 that he had no interest in playing out the option year of his contract with the Lions in 2014, and he again made that clear in a conversation with Lions GM Wally Buono last week. A brief fight broke out on the Syracuse sideline between Orange quarterback Eric Dungey and a couple of Boston College players early in the first quarter of the game Saturday.It started after Dungey was intercepted by BC defensive back William Harris, who threw him to the ground after pushing him out of bounds.BC linebacker Matt Milano stepped over and in front of Dungey, and the QB pushed him down into an equipment container near the stands. Playeers from both teams -- with a few from BC running across the field -- got involved in a shoving match before the officials and coaches got things under control.ddddddddddddDungey was given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Each team was assessed one for players getting involved.Its the 50th meeting between the rivals. ' ' '