MLB winter meetings: Day 3 may set a new standard for getting paid
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Day 3 of baseball's winter meetings may set a new bar for elite relief pitchers.
The market for closers this offseason has intensified with the likes of Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen hitting free agency .
Mark Melancon was available until Monday, until he San Francisco Giants signed him to a four-year, $62 million deal, making him the highest-paid closer in history -- for now.
Chapman is expected to set the new ceiling, possibly with the New York Yankees. He is reportedly seeking a $100 million contract -- which would make him the first reliever to break the nine-digit contract.
Jansen, who saved 47 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, is likely to rival Melancon's deal and could re-unite with manager Don Mattingly in Miami.
Even closers not on the market are fair game.
The Chicago Cubs are close to completing a trade for Wade Davis from the Kansas City Royals. Davis has converted 44 of 48 save opportunities since taking over closer duties after Greg Holland in 2015.
Zack Britton, who had one of the best seasons by a closer in history in 2016, is under club control by the Baltimore Orioles for two more years. The Orioles have made it known that Britton could be available, but a high price.
And the Chicago White Sox have signaled a major rebuild by trading ace Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox, which means closer David Robertson is surely available, as well. Robertson had a rough 2016, saving 37 games but blowing seven opportunities and posting a 3.47 ERA.
But he's a good bet to bounce back in 2017 and is affordable, with two years and $25 million remaining on his contract.
That's a pittance in a market that's about to get a lot more expensive.