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Philadelphia Phillies: 3 veteran closers the team could still sign in free agency

By David Esser

Aug 5, 2020; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Sean Doolittle (63) pitches against the New York Mets in the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 5, 2020; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Sean Doolittle (63) pitches against the New York Mets in the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 6, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud (16) and relief pitcher Mark Melancon (36) celebrates after defeating the Miami Marlins in game one of the 2020 NLDS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud (16) and relief pitcher Mark Melancon (36) celebrates after defeating the Miami Marlins in game one of the 2020 NLDS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Mark Melancon

2020 Team: Atlanta Braves

2020 Salary: $19 million

Wrapping up a massive four-year/$62 million contract, right-handed reliever Mark Melancon is now back on the open market for the first time since 2017. Melancon has been incredibly productive since beginning said deal, posting 37 total saves while routinely keeping his ERA in the mid-3.00 range.

Melancon was acquired by the Atlanta Braves via a trade with the San Francisco Giants in 2019, and he’s played a fairly large role in the team’s last two postseason berths. He finished 18 games with a 3.86 ERA in 2019, and then finished 19 games with a 2.78 ERA this past season in 2020.

Similar to that of Kirby Yates, Melancon is the definition of an established closer in today’s game. He’s pitched for seven different teams, he’s led the MLB in saves before (2015), and he’s been selected to three separate All-Star games. In terms of Dombrowski’s desire to add proven commodities to the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen, Melancon fits the bill.

Melancon turns 36 in March, so his price tag will undoubtedly be dropping quite a considerable amount compared to last year’s $19 million salary. Spotrac has his market value set at $5.24 million, which is a pretty reasonable price to pay for a closing pitcher.

Melancon’s longevity is obviously a concern due to his rising age, so that’s a factor to take into account here. Regardless, he’d be an improvement over what the Phillies currently have in their ‘pen – and that’s definitely worth something.

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