Marlins rumors: Miami seeking “big-time” closer

The Miami Marlins have expressed serious interest in adding a big-time closer to form a super bullpen, and they’ve shown interest in the top three closers available, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

It appears that Miami is the third mystery team that is interested in Mark Melancon. It was thought that Melancon would either go to the San Francisco Giants or Washington Nationals, but it seems like the Marlins are going to enter the battle for Melancon. The team is also interested in Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen. Miami will have to compete with the big market teams to get one of these three closers, but it seems like they are willing to fight.

Chapman is the most notable of the three, which means he will probably be the most expensive of the trio. Chapman, 28, pitched with the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs last season. The Cuban native who lives in Miami had a 1.55 ERA with 36 saves and 90 strikeouts in 59 appearances last year.

Jansen, 29, has spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He posted a 1.83 ERA with 47 saves and 104 strikeouts in 68.2 innings pitched in 2016. Los Angeles extended a qualifying offer to Jansen this offseason, which means Miami would have to part with a first round pick in order to sign him.

Melancon, 31, pitched with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Nationals last season. The right-hander had a 1.64 ERA with 47 saves and a 0.90 WHIP in 2016.

Melancon is likely going to be the cheapest of the three options, but that doesn’t mean he won’t end up being expensive. Expect all three of these closers to break Jonathan Papelbon’s record for most money given to a reliever ($50 million over four years).