Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic announced Wednesday that the Arizona Diamondbacks have signed right-handed pitcher Mark Melancon. Jeff Passan of ESPN later reported that the deal is two years and worth $14 million. The University of Arizona product was the San Diego Padres closer in 2021, and saved an MLB best 39 games. 

Melancon, 36, had a 2.23 ERA in 2021 over 64 games. The four-time All-Star has a career ERA of 2.79, and has saved 244 games over his 13 years in the majors. In 19.2 innings pitched at Chase Field in his career, Melancon has a 4.12 ERA with five saves. 

He is quite possibly the most accomplished reliever general manager Mike Hazen has signed since joining the Diamondbacks in 2017. 

Hazen has tried to acquire big veteran names to join the bullpen in the past, a trend that has defined his tenure so far in Arizona. Pitchers like Joakim Soria, Greg Holland, Brad Ziegler (acquired via trade in 2018), Fernando Salas, and Brad Boxberger are past attempts at good veteran bullpen arms.

None of those players panned out the way Hazen intended, and he still tries to add valuable veteran pitching every winter in an attempt to build a sturdy bullpen that has been so lacking in the past, particularly in the back end.

The addition of Melancon changes that dynamic, giving the Diamondbacks a reliable presence in an important role. 

Since the beginning of his career, Melancon has been one of the most effective closers in baseball. He has saved as many as 51 games in a season, which came in 2015 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He finished eighth in the National League Cy Young voting that season, and was awarded the Trevor Hoffman Reliever of the Year Award.

The veteran is 10th among active pitchers in games played, with 670. While the Diamondbacks don’t plan to compete in 2022 and 2023, Melancon will be a great teacher for many of the players that will be around when they do.

Contact the reporter at mgaraffa@asu.edu.