For a while trade rumors focused on a number of MLB closers because teams were reportedly open to moving established relievers due to the demand for back end bullpen help. Pittsburgh Pirates closer Mark Melancon was one of those names previously mentioned, and speculation resurfaced this week.
Melancon had another spectacular season with the Pirates after posting a 2.23 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 51 saves and 62 strikeouts in 78 games (76 2/3 innings). However, the right-hander is entering his third year of arbitration eligibility and is projected to earn $10 million in 2016, according to MLBTradeRumors.com.
Pittsburgh traded Neil Walker and Charlie Morton and non-tendered Pedro Alvarez this offseason, which helped them shed nearly $20 million in salary commitments for next year, but general manager Neal Huntington is still not ruling out a deal involving Melancon.
"We've never had to trade Mark," Huntington told Adam Berry of MLB.com. "It's always been [a question of] if we're better with him with us, or if we think it's a better move for the organization to move him elsewhere, and that still applies."
Berry weighed in on the topic as well:
"The Pirates may not be actively shopping Melancon, but they won't say no if someone blows them away with the perfect offer. Personally, I expect them to keep Melancon. I didn't feel quite so strongly about that a few weeks ago, given his rising salary and the other areas they needed to address."
Pittsburgh may have a good market for Melancon, especially among teams looking to make a run in 2016. The New York Yankees are looking for a No. 1 starter in return for closer Andrew Miller, so many potential trade partners are turned off by that request; Reds closer Aroldis Chapman was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute in October, which nixed the deal that would have sent him to the Dodgers; the Tampa Bay Rays might be looking for considerable returns on relievers Jake McGee and Brad Boxberger since both are under control for multiple years at a decent rate; and although Jonathan Papelbon is probably on the trading block, nobody wants him.
Perhaps the Los Angeles Dodgers might like Melancon to team up with Kenley Jansen in the eighth and ninth innings? They were planning on getting Chapman for that exact reason before the deal fell through.
Still, Berry is right. It's hard to imagine the Pirates trading Melancon since they've already reduced their payroll and addressed a number of needs cost-effectively. Without Melancon, the back end of the Pirates' bullpen would take an enormous hit.
However, there are a number of capable relievers (although not near Melancon's caliber) remaining in free agency (Antonio Bastardo, Tyler Clippard, Matt Belisle, Joel Peralta, Franklin Morales, Neal Cotts and others). The Pirates could sign one or two of them on the cheap if Melancon were to depart (in the event they are offered a favorable trade package).
While it's not likely Melancon is dealt, it's also something that cannot be overlooked.
